His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday condemned the assassination of the Lebanese Cabinet Minister Pierre Gemayel.

In telephone calls with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and the Lebanese MP Saad Hariri, the Future Movement leader, the King described the assassination as "a heinous crime."

The King said the "cowardly crime” targeted the country's security and stability, urging Lebanese to “close ranks”, and not to allow attempts aimed at provoking divisions to succeed.

King Abdullah stressed Jordan's support for Lebanon in “these difficult circumstances”.