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Hariri court gets Lebanon backing | |
(5 days 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. |
After the cabinet approved the UN plan, information minister Ghazi Aridi said the move was not intended as a provocation. | After the cabinet approved the UN plan, information minister Ghazi Aridi said the move was not intended as a provocation. |
"It's based on a Lebanese consensus to establish this tribunal," he said. | "It's based on a Lebanese consensus to establish this tribunal," he said. |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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 Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY We know no one is interested in saving Lebanon Kareem, Lebanon 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. | 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. | 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. | 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' | '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. | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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 after a presence of 29 years, following massive domestic and international pressure following the assassination of Hariri. |