This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6183878.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Lebanon approves Hariri tribunal | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Lebanon's cabinet has given final approval to a plan for an international tribunal to try suspects in the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. | |
The emergency session was held without six pro-Syrian ministers after talks to bring them back to the cabinet failed. | |
The pro-Western Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora, had offered to postpone the meeting if the ministers would return. | |
Tensions between the two groups were escalated by the killing on Tuesday of industry minister Pierre Gemayel. | |
Saturday sees the second day of a strike protesting at his killing. | Saturday sees the second day of a strike protesting at his killing. |
Business leaders said they hoped the action would move Lebanon closer to a "national dialogue". | Business leaders said they hoped the action would move Lebanon closer to a "national dialogue". |
'Unconstitutional' meeting | 'Unconstitutional' meeting |
The cabinet approved draft United Nations plans for an international tribunal on Mr Hariri's murder earlier this month. | |
Before the emergency session, correspondents said that if final approval were given it would be likely to increase tensions with pro-Syrian politicians. | |
Rafik Hariri was killed in a massive blast in February 2005 | |
Syria has been implicated in the bombing that killed Mr Hariri last year, but denies involvement. | Syria has been implicated in the bombing that killed Mr Hariri last year, but denies involvement. |
Mr Siniora, who called the emergency cabinet session, has been under pressure to win back the support of the pro-Syrian groups within his government. | |
Ministers delayed the start of the meeting by more than an hour as negotiations continued with the pro-Syrian parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri. | Ministers delayed the start of the meeting by more than an hour as negotiations continued with the pro-Syrian parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri. |
But it eventually went ahead without the Hezbollah movement and Mr Berri's Amal party, after they held their ground over demands for greater government representation for themselves and their allies. | |
Mr Berri, known as an ally of Damascus, said the emergency cabinet meeting was "unconstitutional" because it had not been approved by Lebanese President Emile Lahoud. | |
HAVE YOUR SAY We know no one is interested in saving Lebanon Kareem, Lebanon href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4792&edition=2&ttl=20061121153605" class="">Send us your comments | |
Allies of Damascus also say the tribunal is unconstitutional because the Shia community is no longer represented in the absence of the six pro-Syria ministers, says the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut. | |
But other constitutional experts say the cabinet is still legal, she says. | |
Mr Berri's backing is essential if the tribunal is to be ratified because only the speaker can call a parliamentary session to vote on the project. | |
Syria has also suggested at the UN that it may not co-operate with the tribunal. | Syria has also suggested at the UN that it may not co-operate with the tribunal. |
'Coup plot' | |
Earlier on Saturday, John Bolton, the American ambassador to the United Nations, suggested that Mr Gemayel's murder might be the "first shot" in a wider coup plot against the government. | |
He said recent probes into political killings in Lebanon suggested Syrian involvement. | |
While he did not want to pre-judge any investigation into Mr Gemayel's death, Mr Bolton said, proof of Syrian involvement would show it was "not just a supporter of terrorism but is a state actor in a terrorist fashion". | |
Many Lebanese accuse Damascus of orchestrating the 34-year-old's murder, although Syria explicitly denies any role. | |
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has agreed to a request from the Lebanese government to help investigate Mr Gemayel's murder. | Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has agreed to a request from the Lebanese government to help investigate Mr Gemayel's murder. |
Pro-Syrian groups have already said the UN plan is illegal under Lebanon's constitution. | Pro-Syrian groups have already said the UN plan is illegal under Lebanon's constitution. |
In 2005, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon following 29 years of military and political rule over its smaller neighbour, after massive international pressure following the assassination of Mr Hariri. | In 2005, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon following 29 years of military and political rule over its smaller neighbour, after massive international pressure following the assassination of Mr Hariri. |