Priest says murder of Catholic leader aimed to kill Lebanese' hopes

Published: 2006-11-22

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- The assassination of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel was "an operation trying to kill the hope of the people," said Father Joseph Abu Ghazale, parish priest at the Maronite Catholic Church of St Anthony's, about 50 yards from where Gemayel was gunned down. "Pierre was here in this church six months ago, and he heard me talk about martyrs and how they live on after death. He believed and was ready to sacrifice himself," said the priest. "He represented the ambitions of all the young people in Lebanon, and that enthusiasm will only increase now." Gemayel, 34, and his bodyguard were killed Nov. 21 while driving through Beirut's Christian neighborhood of Jdeideh. His car was rammed by another vehicle. Then, witnesses said, at least three gunmen leaped out of the vehicle and sprayed his car with 20 bullets from automatic weapons equipped with silencers. They fired at near point-blank range through the driver's window at Gemayel, who was at the wheel, and at his bodyguard seated in the passenger seat. At least 10 bullet holes could be seen around the driver's window, and the front seats were covered in blood.

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