Christian leader assassinated
The week's news at a glance.
Beirut
Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, a leader of the Maronite Christian minority, was gunned down in his car this week while driving through a Beirut suburb. Gemayel was the son of former President Amin Gemayel and a prominent voice in the anti-Syrian wing of Lebanese politics. He recently voted to support the international tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a killing widely blamed on Syria. Gemayel’s murder came just a day after Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Syrian- and Iranian-backed Islamic militant party Hezbollah, called for mass protests to topple the Lebanese government. Hezbollah has been in a power struggle with the government since the month-long war with Israel this summer.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Twitter: Breaking the Bird – a 'riveting' documentary
The Week Recommends BBC2's 'fascinating' film charts the social media platform's fall from grace
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Detentions and hostile treatment: is it safe to visit the US?
The Explainer Spate of interrogations and deportations at US border sparking decline in overseas visitors
By The Week UK Published
-
The financial changes to expect in 'Awful April'
The Explainer As the new financial year begins, it brings changes for bills, wages and tax
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published