LONDON, Nov 22: The killers of Lebanese minister Pierre Gemayel were out to undermine the government, British Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman said today while stressing London was not “pointing the finger” at Syria.

The comment came as Mr Blair sought to keep open a channel of dialogue with Damascus, which he has urged to make a “strategic choice” to help the West in the Middle East region.

Blair planned to telephone Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora during the day to reaffirm Britain's support and condemn the assassination of his anti-Syrian industry minister, shot dead yesterday in his car in Beirut.

The spokesman said it was too early to speculate as to who was behind the murder but reiterated that Syria's prospects of becoming an partner for peace in the Middle East depended on Damascus keeping out of Lebanese affairs.

“We genuinely don't know who was responsible for this act but clearly what it is aimed at trying to do is undermine the authority of the Lebanese government and that is totally unacceptable,” Blair's spokesman told reporters.

“We fully support Prime Minister Siniora in his efforts to try to maintain the authority of the Lebanese government.” Blair has appealed to Syria and Iran, urging them to become partners in the search for peace in the Middle East or face global isolation.

He intends to visit the region in the coming months to push for progress on resolving tensions across the Middle East.—AFP