HELSINKI, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The European Union's current presidency Finland condemned Tuesday in the strongest terms the brutal assassination of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel.

    An EU statement said that the attack came at a time when political situation in Lebanon is already critically tense. The Presidency thus urged all parties to refrain from activities that would further endanger the political stability of Lebanon.

    The Presidency reiterated the EU's full support to the legitimate and democratically elected Lebanese government.

    Lebanese Industry Minister and Christian leader Pierre Gemayel was shot dead on a street in the suburb of Beirut on Tuesday, reported Al-Jazeera television.