Pope condemns Gemayel killing,warns of "dark forces"

VATICAN CITY, Nov 22 (Reuters) Pope Benedict today called the assassination of Lebanese cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel a ''brutal attack'' and urged the country's people to beware ''the dark forces who are trying to destroy the country''.

The Pope made his comments to some 20,000 pilgrims and tourists gathered in a rainy St. Peter's Square for his weekly general audience.

Gemayel, a Christian, was shot dead as he drove through a Christian suburb of Beirut on Tuesday. His allies blamed Damascus for the killing, which revived fears that factional violence could spiral again.

''In firmly condmening such a brutal attack, I assure my prayers and my spiritual closeness to the family in mourning and to the beloved Lebanese people,'' he said, speaking in Italian.

''Faced with the dark forces who are trying to destroy the country, I invite all Lebanese to not let themselves be vanquished by hate but instead to try to re-forge national unity, justice and reconciliation and to work together to build a future of peace,'' he said.

Gemayal was the sixth anti-Syrian politician to be killed in nearly two years.

The killing heightened tensions between the anti-Syrian government and the pro-Damascus opposition led by Hezbollah, the powerful Shi'ite Muslim guerrilla group determined to topple what it sees as a pro-US cabinet.

The assassination turned Lebanon's Independence Day on Wednesday into a sombre occasion. All festivities, including a military parade, were cancelled.

REUTERS LL RK1740