Lebanese industry minister and Maronite Christian leader Pierre Gemayel has been assassinated in the capital, Beirut, reports say.

Mr Gemayel, a leading anti-Syrian politican, was shot in a street in a Christian suburb of the city and rushed to hospital, Lebanese media reported.

It comes at a time of crisis in Lebanese politics, following the recent resignation of six cabinet ministers.

Mr Gemayel was a member of the Phalange Party and son of former president Amin.