Member of a Powerful Dynasty
A profile of Pierre Gemayel, the anti-Syrian politician shot dead in Beirut.
Pierre Gemayel, the anti-Syrian politician shot dead in Beirut today, came from one of Lebanon's most prominent political dynasties.
His grandfather - also called Pierre - founded the Phalange party, a Christian Maronite paramilitary youth organisation modelled on the fascist organisations he observed while in Berlin as an Olympic athlete in 1936.
During the 1975 Lebanese civil war, the Phalange party was the most formidable force within the Christian camp.
Its militia shouldered the brunt of the fighting against the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and, as part of the Lebanese Front - the mostly Christian, rightist coalition - the power of the Gemayel family increased considerably.
During the 1980s, Bashir Gemayel, Pierre Gemayel's uncle, emerged as Lebanon's strongman. He was assassinated in September 1982, less than a month after being elected as president and soon after agreeing to diplomatic relations with Israel.
Bashir Gemayel was succeeded as president by his older brother, Amin Gemayel, Pierre Gemayel's father, who served from 1982 to 1988.
Like his father and late uncle, Pierre Gemayel - who was industry minister in the anti-Syrian bloc that dominates the Lebanese cabinet and parliament - strongly opposed the influence of Syria.
Many Lebanese blame Syria for the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.
His grandfather - also called Pierre - founded the Phalange party, a Christian Maronite paramilitary youth organisation modelled on the fascist organisations he observed while in Berlin as an Olympic athlete in 1936.
During the 1975 Lebanese civil war, the Phalange party was the most formidable force within the Christian camp.
Its militia shouldered the brunt of the fighting against the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and, as part of the Lebanese Front - the mostly Christian, rightist coalition - the power of the Gemayel family increased considerably.
During the 1980s, Bashir Gemayel, Pierre Gemayel's uncle, emerged as Lebanon's strongman. He was assassinated in September 1982, less than a month after being elected as president and soon after agreeing to diplomatic relations with Israel.
Bashir Gemayel was succeeded as president by his older brother, Amin Gemayel, Pierre Gemayel's father, who served from 1982 to 1988.
Like his father and late uncle, Pierre Gemayel - who was industry minister in the anti-Syrian bloc that dominates the Lebanese cabinet and parliament - strongly opposed the influence of Syria.
Many Lebanese blame Syria for the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.
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