Pierre Amine Gemayel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pierre Amine Gemayel
بيار أمين الجميّل |
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| Born | 23 September 1972 Beirut, Lebanon
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| Died | 21 November 2006 (aged 34) Beirut, Lebanon
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| Cause of death | Assassination |
| Resting place | Bikfaya (family grave) |
| Other names | Peter al Gemayel Cheikh Pierre |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Political party | Kataeb Party |
| Spouse(s) | Patricia Daif |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Amine Gemayel Joyce Tyan |
| Relatives | Bachir Gemayel (uncle) Samy Gemayel (younger brother) Pierre Gemayel (grandfather) |
Pierre Amine Gemayel (born 23 September 1972 – died 21 November 2006) was an important Lebanese politician. He was a member of the Kataeb Party, also known as the Phalange Party. He was well-known for his strong beliefs and his work for Lebanon.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Pierre Amine Gemayel was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on 24 September 1972. He came from a Maronite Christian family that had been involved in Lebanese politics for a long time.
His father, Amine Gemayel, was a former President. His grandfather, also named Pierre Gemayel, founded the Kataeb Party. Pierre Amine Gemayel was also the nephew of Bachir Gemayel, who was elected president but sadly passed away in 1982.
Pierre Amine Gemayel studied law in Beirut and Paris. After finishing his studies, he started his career as a lawyer in Beirut. Later, he took over his father's law practice.
Political Journey
Pierre Amine Gemayel began his political career in 2000. He was elected to the Parliament for the Matn District as an independent. He was an active member of the Kataeb movement, which was connected to the Kataeb Party.
He was re-elected to Parliament in 2005. He was known for not agreeing with Syria's influence in Lebanon. He also opposed the rule of President Émile Lahoud.
After the passing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Pierre Amine Gemayel took part in the Cedar Revolution. This was a time when many Lebanese people protested against Syrian influence. In July 2005, he became the Minister of Industry in the government led by Fouad Siniora. He represented the Phalange party in this government.
A Sad Day
On 21 November 2006, the day before Lebanese Independence Day, Pierre Amine Gemayel was attacked. Several gunmen opened fire on his car in the Jdeideh area, north of Beirut. He was rushed to the hospital but sadly passed away. His bodyguard also passed away in the attack.
Pierre Amine Gemayel was the fifth important person who was against Syrian influence to be killed in Lebanon in two years. This event was very shocking because it happened in broad daylight.
Who Was Responsible?
A group calling themselves the "Fighters for the Unity and Liberty of Greater Syria" said they were responsible. They claimed they attacked Gemayel because he spoke out against Syria and another group called Hezbollah. Some people thought this might point to the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.
There were also rumors that a Syrian news agency knew about the attack before it happened. However, these claims were not fully proven.
Some people thought the attack was meant to make the Lebanese government fall. At that time, if enough ministers resigned or passed away, the government would have to dissolve. With Gemayel's passing and some resignations, only two more ministers would have been needed to make the government fall. Others believed his quick rise in politics might have upset some local powers, especially Syria's allies.
Despite these ideas, the people who carried out the attack have not been caught, and the investigation is still ongoing.
Funeral and Reactions
A large funeral was held for Pierre Amine Gemayel on Martyrs' Square on 23 November 2006. Hundreds of thousands of people who supported the 14 March Alliance attended. The funeral became a big political gathering. His body was buried in his hometown of Bikfaya.
Lebanese Reactions
Saad Hariri, who was a major leader in the Lebanese Parliament, accused Syria of ordering the killing. The Syrian government denied being involved and said they condemned the attack.
Other Lebanese leaders, like Walid Jumblatt and Samir Geagea, also blamed Syria. They believed the attack was meant to weaken the Lebanese government. Michel Aoun, another Christian leader, strongly condemned the attack. He said it was meant to cause confusion, especially among Christians in Lebanon. Most major Lebanese political figures expressed similar sadness and anger.
World Reactions
Many countries and international organizations also spoke out against the attack. The U.N. Security Council condemned Gemayel's passing.
The representative of Pope Benedict XVI at the funeral called the attack "unspeakable." British Prime Minister Tony Blair and British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett also condemned the murder.
The White House in the United States also condemned the attack. The U.N. Ambassador John R. Bolton noted that many Lebanese leaders who had been attacked were against Syria, suggesting a pattern.
Family Life
Pierre Amine Gemayel married Patricia Daif in 1999. They had two sons, Amine and Iskander. Their wedding was held in Limassol, Cyprus, so that Pierre's father, who was living outside Lebanon at the time, could attend.
See also
In Spanish: Pierre Amine Gemayel para niños
- List of assassinated Lebanese politicians
