Washington, Nov 22, SPA -- The U.S. State Department on Tuesday strongly condemned the apparent assassination of Lebanese politician Pierre Gemayel, describing it as intimidation and an act of terrorism. In a Washington press conference, Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said the United States was shocked by the shooting attack. "We view it as an act of terrorism. We also view it as an act of intimidation against the March 14th coalition," Burns said. "We support Prime Minister Siniora. We have felt for the last year and a half that the March 14th coalition represents what's right about Lebanon politicians, political leaders who are dedicated to democracy, who wanted to return Lebanon to a position of real sovereignty and free Lebanon from Syria's influence," Burns said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/405231