Pierre Gemayel was a Maronite Christian and son of former Lebanese President Amin Gemayel.Like his father and late uncle, Gemayel was an opponent of the influence in Lebanon of Syria
BEIRUT, Lebanon - Lebanese Christian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel, an outspoken critic of Syria, was assassinated near Beirut on Tuesday, security sources said. Gunmen opened fire as his convoy drove through the Christian Sin el-Fil neighbourhood, they said. Gemayel, who was in his 30s, was rushed to hospital where he later died of his wounds. The murder of the 34-year-old minister is certain to increase political tensions in Lebanon, where the Syrian / Iranian backed militant Shia Hezbollah party is leading a drive to overturn the Western-backed Government.
Gemayel, a member of the Christian Phalange Party and industry minister, was the son of former President Amin Gemayel. His uncle Bashir Gemayel was killed in September 1982 after he was elected as president. Pierre, like his father and late uncle, was an opponent of the influence in Lebanon of Syria, who many Lebanese blame for the February 2005 assassination of former prime minister Hariri. (Reuters, 11/21/06)
President Bush Denounces Assassination Of Lebanese Leader
"Today's assassination of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel shows yet again the viciousness of those who are trying to destabilize that country. The United States remains fully committed to supporting Lebanon's independence and democracy in the face of attempts by Syria, Iran, and their allies within Lebanon to foment instability and violence. We also demand that Syria treat Lebanon as a genuinely sovereign neighbor, establishing full diplomatic relations with Lebanon, and delineating its border with that country, including, in particular, in the Shab'a Farms area, through a bilateral agreement." (Excerpt; White House Press Release)
Thousands Turn Out for Gemayel's Funeral
With an anti-Syria fury that recalled the aftermath of the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese poured into Beirut on Thursday for the funeral of the government minister slain Tuesday, Pierre Gemayel. Demonstrators shouted for the resignation of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, who is allied with Syria. They cursed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and spat on pictures of Gen. Michel Aoun, a Christian who aligned his party with Hezbollah. (NYT)
(Source for all articles above: Intercessors for America)
PRAYER REQUEST FROM INTERCESSORS FOR ISRAEL
With the assassination of Gemayel this past week, Lebanon stands at the edge of a precipice. This could be a major breakthrough for that nation to be set free from their Syrian-Iranian-Hizbullah overlords.
• Lord, use this terrible event to expose the real enemies of Lebanon.
• Wake up the real believers in that nation to know how to pray and what to do.
• Protect Israel's northern border from any Hizbullah attacks which could take the pressure off the assassination and put the eyes of the world on Israel - again.
• Have mercy on this nation and save multitudes.
• “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)
