Anti-Syrian MP mourned in Lebanon

Mr Eido, his son, two bodyguards and six passers-by were killed

The funeral has taken place in Lebanon of an anti-Syrian MP killed in a bomb attack in Beirut.

A day of national mourning was declared after Walid Eido and nine other people were killed on Wednesday in the city's mainly Muslim Manara district.

Thousands of supporters of the Western-backed government lined the streets for the funeral procession. Shops, banks and schools were closed.

He is the sixth leading anti-Syrian figure to be killed since 2005.

Syria has condemned the killing and denied any involvement.

The foreign ministry said the allegations that it was responsible were part of a campaign of lies "that is against both Lebanon and Syria".

'Fomenting instability'

In Beirut, mourners waved flags and applauded as the coffins of Mr Eido, his son and one of their bodyguards passed.

Some of those taking part in the funeral ceremonies chanted the name of Rafik Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister who was assassinated two years ago.

In a statement, the White House said there had been a "clear pattern of assassinations" of those opposed to Syrian interference in Lebanon's affairs.

"Those working for a sovereign and democratic Lebanon have always been the ones targeted," US President George W Bush said.

"The victims have always been those who sought an end to Syrian President [Bashar al-] Assad's interference in Lebanon's internal affairs."

LEBANESE ASSASSINATIONS Feb 2005: Former PM Rafik Hariri June 2005: Anti-Syria journalist Samir Kassir June 2005: Ex-Communist leader George Hawi Dec 2005: Anti-Syria MP Gebran Tueni Nov 2006: Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel June 2007: Anti-Syria MP Walid Eido

Mr Bush said that the US would continue to support Lebanon but added that "efforts by Damascus and Tehran to foment instability in Lebanon must stop now".

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the attack as unacceptable.

After the resignation last week of another coalition member, Mr Eido's death leaves the anti-Syrian bloc with a slim majority of just three members in parliament.

Wednesday's blast was the sixth explosion in four weeks in Lebanon. Two people were killed in the previous blast.

Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh blamed Syria for the latest attack, saying it was trying to wipe out the anti-Syrian majority in parliament.

"It is the same serial killer who wants to liquidate the parliamentary majority; it is a physical liquidation by the Syrian regime," Mr Hamadeh told the AFP news agency.

The latest blast comes two weeks after the UN Security Council voted to set up a tribunal to try suspects in the death of Mr Hariri, killed in a car bombing.

Damascus denied any role in that attack.