Lebanese pay respect to assassinated minister

Lebanon plunged into fear and gloom today as mourners came to the mountain town of Bikfaya to pay thier last respects to a Christian politician, whose assassination threatened to push the country’s political crisis over the brink.

The government cancelled Independence Day celebrations and people huddled around televisions at home to watch the live broadcast of dignitaries, members of the Phalange Party, and hundreds of villagers walking past the coffin of Pierre Gemayel and pay condolences to his father, former President Amin Gemayel, in the family home.