BEIRUT, Nov 21: Gunmen on Tuesday assassinated Lebanese Christian minister Pierre Gemayel, an outspoken critic of Syria, plunging Lebanon deeper into a crisis over ties with its dominant neighbour.

Three gunmen rammed their car into Mr Gemayel's vehicle near Beirut, then leapt out and riddled it with bullets, firing at the minister with silencer-equipped automatic weapons at point-blank range in a Christian neighbourhood.

Ten bullet holes were seen around the window of the driver's seat of his grey car. The two front seats were soaked in blood.

One of two bodyguards hurt in the attack, also died later.

The son of assassinated former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al Hariri blamed Syria for the killing, but Damascus condemned the murder.

The assassination is certain to heighten tensions in Lebanon amid a deep political crisis pitting the anti-Syrian majority against the pro-Damascus opposition led by Hezbollah, which is determined to topple what it sees as a pro-US government.

Pierre Gemayel, 34, was rushed to hospital where he later died of his wounds. Hundreds of angry and weeping family members and supporters gathered at the hospital.

“We believe the hand of Syria is all over the place,” Saad al Hariri, whose father Rafik was killed in a suicide bombing last year, said shortly after Mr Gemayel was shot dead.

“Syria strongly condemns the killing,” the official Syrian news agency SANA said. The Hezbollah also condemned the `low criminal act’ and urged an investigation.

The assassination came after a devastating July-August conflict in south Lebanon between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.

It also coincided with UN Security Council moves to create atribunal to try those suspected of Mr Hariri's assassination.

Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said Mr Gemayel's killing would make Lebanon more determined to set up the international court.

Many Lebanese blame Syria for the killing of Mr Hariri in a suicide truck bombing in February last year.—Reuters