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Lebanese Christian leader shot dead

Pierre Gemayel, a Lebanese cabinet minister and member of the Maronite Christian Phalange party, has been shot dead in Beirut.

His car was attacked in a Christian area on Tuesday.

Gemayel, son of ex-president Amin Gemayel, was a member of the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority, which is locked in a power struggle with pro-Syrian factions.

Analysts say Gemayel's death is likely to worsen tensions in the already divided country. Gemayel's vehicle was rammed in a Christian district before armed men riddled it with bullets. Al Jazeera's correspondent said there was panic in Beirut after the assassination, with people rushing to get home.

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posted by ... @ 5:36 PM