The Lebanese anti-Syrian politician Pierre Gemayel has been shot and killed while driving through Beirut.
Pierre Gemayel was shot dead while driving through Beirut
Mr Gemayel was a member of the Phalange Party and the son of former President Gemayel Amin.
Below is a selection of reactions from around the world.
FOUAD SINIORA, LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER
Our homeland, our nation, Lebanon, will be a master of its destiny - independent, a proud Arab nation.
Lebanon will hold its head high, thanks to its blessed martyrs. Lebanon will continue with the determination of its free people. Regardless of what the murderous despots try to do, Lebanon will continue, Lebanon will remain, Lebanon will stay and it will prevail.
SAAD HARIRI, SON OF MURDERED LEBANESE PM RAFIK HARIRI
The Cedar Revolution is under attack. Today one of our main believers in a free democratic Lebanon has been killed. We believe the hands of Syria are all over the place.
The people of Lebanon will not give up on the international tribunal. This will make them even more determined. We will bring justice to those who killed Pierre Gemayel.
MUHSIN BILAL, SYRIAN INFORMATION MINISTER
The Arab Syrian Republic strongly condemns the assassination of minister Pierre Gemayel. We hereby extend warm condolences to his family and to all honest and young people.
We believe that this crime targets the Lebanese accord, dialogue, unity, and stability.
It further targets Syria. Those who accuse Syria and adopt this ill and narrow-minded stand that mirrors defeat and collapse do not possess an ounce of truth, reality or credibility.
GEORGE W BUSH, US PRESIDENT
We support the Siniora government and its democracy, and we support the Lebanese people's desire to live in peace. And we support their efforts to defend their democracy against attempts by Syria, Iran and allies to
foment instability and violence in that important country.
TONY BLAIR, UK PRIME MINISTER
We condemn this murder utterly. It is completely without any justification at all. We need to do everything we can, particularly at this moment, to protect democracy in Lebanon and the premiership of Prime Minister Siniora.
And it underlines once again the absolute and urgent need for a strategy for the whole of the Middle East, that supports those who favour democracy and the proper way of resolving disputes everywhere. And obviously then there will have to be the most detailed investigation into what has taken place.
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
The Security Council unequivocally condemned the assassination in Beirut of Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, a patriot who was a symbol of freedom and of the political independence of Lebanon.
The Security Council condemns any attempt to destabilise Lebanon through political assassination or other terrorist acts.
HASSAN FADLALLAH, HEZBOLLAH MP, LEBANON
First of all we condemn this crime. It aims at stirring up trouble and deepening the crisis in Lebanon.
However, before we start issuing accusations or name the names of the criminals who have committed this crime, it is the responsibility of the Lebanese security authorities to immediately launch an investigation.
TZIPI LIVNI, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER
The news from Lebanon is another example of the kind of region, the kind of neighbourhood we are living [in].
The negative role of Syria in Lebanon is not something new or top secret and only a few weeks ago the international community succeeded in taking Syrian forces and Syria out of Lebanon. But clearly they are trying to be involved even now, but it's too early to say something more concrete.
PHILIPPE DOUSTE-BLAZY, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER
Faced with this new attempt to destabilise Lebanon, France wishes to assure the Lebanese people that it is determined to fight alongside it to uphold its sovereignty and independence.
RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN
The resumption of the practice of political assassinations in Lebanon after a period of relative calm worries us enormously.