Region | Lebanon
Thousands attend Gemayel funeral
An enormous crowd has gathered in downtown Beirut to attend the funeral of murdered Lebanese industry minister Pierre Gemayel.
- Agencies
- Published: 00:00 November 23, 2006
- Image Credit: AP
- Beirut's downtown area was packed with tens of thousands of mourners.
Beirut: Tens of thousands of people have gathered in Beirut for the funeral of murdered politician Pierre Gemayel.
The city centre was packed with flag waving mourners as the coffin of the industry minister was carried to the service at the St George Catherdral.
Many of them brandished anti-Syrian posters aimed at president Bashar Al Assad, saying "Shove your civil war".
A message read the funeral from Pope Benedict XVI condemned the "unspeakable" assassination.
"We are all very moved by this unspeakable act," he said in the message read by a priest. "I hope that all Lebanese remain united in these circumstances and that they renew their determination to rebuild an autonomous Lebanon... where all communities are ensured active participation," he said.
The anti-Syrian Maronite Christian politician was shot in his car in a Christian area of Beirut on Tuesday night.
Related Links
- UN to help Lebanon investigate Gemayel murder
- Lebanon seeks UN helpA woman grieves after throwing rice over the coffin of assassinated minister Pierre Gemayel as it is taken to the family home in Bikfaya yesterday. Lebanon was gripped by fear and
- Crowds mourn Gemayel
- Jumblatt accuses Syria over killing
- Timeline: Assassinations in Lebanon
- Lebanon on the brink
- World reacts to Gemayel's assassination
- Profile: Pierre Gemayel
- US calls for international court
- Siniora defends Lebanon government
The funeral of Gemayel's bodguard, who was also killed in the assassination, is being held at the same time.
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