DETROIT FREE PRESS: Local Lebanese-Americans Shocked by Gemayel Assassination

By Niraj Warikoo / Free Press Staff Writer

NEWS BULLETIN...Lebanese-Americans in metro Detroit are in shock over the shooting death of Christian leader Pierre Gemayel in Lebanon. John Akouri, a Farmington Hills city councilman who heads the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce, has met Gemayer's father several times during his visits to metro Detroit. "The future of Lebanon was assassinated today,'' Akouri said Tuesday. "He was the next generation of leaders." Akouri spoke with several Lebanese-Americans today and said they are surprised and saddened by his assassination. "Everyone is in a state of shock," Akouri said. "The children of Lebanon will sleep in fear tonight." There may be memorial services for Gemayel in metro Detroit this weekend, but no times have been set for now, Akouri said. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee condemned the assassination in a news release. "We call for a thorough investigation into the matter and for those found responsible to be held accountable to the full extent of the law." said committee President Mary Rose Okar.