Lebanese gather at MP's funeral

Lebanese politicians have joined the funeral in Beirut of anti-Syrian MP, Antoine Ghanim, who was assassinated on Wednesday. The Lebanese government has vowed to press ahead with presidential elections to choose a successor to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud next week. Lebanese gather at MP's funeral The assassination of a number of anti-Syrian figures has reduced the pro-Western majority in parliament. Syria has been blamed for the killings, but denies any involvement. Ghanim's coffin, draped with the flags of Lebanon and his Phalange political party, was carried through the Furn el-Shebak district, in mainly Christian east Beirut where he had his constituency, and then to Sacre Coeur church in nearby Badara. The coffins of two bodyguards killed with him were also part of the procession and service. Banks, schools and government offices have been closed in Lebanon, as the country mourns Mr Ghanim, of the Christian Maronite Phalange party. The education ministry said schools and universities would remain closed again on Friday. Ghanim died with at least six others in a car bombing in the mainly Christian Sin al-Fil district on Wednesday. Lebanon's pro-Western government says it is determined to hold a presidential election, despite the assassination. But the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says the situation is very uncertain and the government may find procedural difficulties in convening the required number of MPs for a presidential vote. MPs are due to choose a successor to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud next week. The killings of several anti-Syrian figures have left the government with only a slim majority, 68 out of 127 MPs. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said the killers of Ghanim would not be allowed to succeed in their aims. Siniora said on Thursday: "The hand of terror will not win and will not succeed in subduing us and silencing us. "The Lebanese will not retreat and will have a new president elected by lawmakers, no matter how big the conspiracy was." He has called for a UN investigation into the assassination of Ghanim, who had returned to Beirut just a few days before his death to take part in next week's vote. Rana Ghanem, center, the daughter of slain anti-Syrian lawmaker Antoine Ghanem, mourns over the coffin of her father in Beirut (AP/Beta)

Lebanese gather at MP's funeral

The assassination of a number of anti-Syrian figures has reduced the pro-Western majority in parliament.

Syria has been blamed for the killings, but denies any involvement.

Ghanim's coffin, draped with the flags of Lebanon and his Phalange political party, was carried through the Furn el-Shebak district, in mainly Christian east Beirut where he had his constituency, and then to Sacre Coeur church in nearby Badara.

The coffins of two bodyguards killed with him were also part of the procession and service.

Banks, schools and government offices have been closed in Lebanon, as the country mourns Mr Ghanim, of the Christian Maronite Phalange party.

The education ministry said schools and universities would remain closed again on Friday.

Ghanim died with at least six others in a car bombing in the mainly Christian Sin al-Fil district on Wednesday.

Lebanon's pro-Western government says it is determined to hold a presidential election, despite the assassination.

But the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says the situation is very uncertain and the government may find procedural difficulties in convening the required number of MPs for a presidential vote.

MPs are due to choose a successor to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud next week.

The killings of several anti-Syrian figures have left the government with only a slim majority, 68 out of 127 MPs.

Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said the killers of Ghanim would not be allowed to succeed in their aims.

Siniora said on Thursday: "The hand of terror will not win and will not succeed in subduing us and silencing us.

"The Lebanese will not retreat and will have a new president elected by lawmakers, no matter how big the conspiracy was."

He has called for a UN investigation into the assassination of Ghanim, who had returned to Beirut just a few days before his death to take part in next week's vote.