Lebanese cabinet approves tribunal for alleged killers of former prime minister

LEBANON’S government yesterday approved a UN plan for an international tribunal for the suspected killers of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri — despite the objections of the president and the resignation of six ministers.

The draft document returns to the Security Council for endorsement, but its final approval by the weakened Lebanese Government is far from certain, owing to the resignations and threats from Hezbollah to call mass protests unless it and its Shi’ite Muslim allies gain effective veto power in the cabinet.

Yesterday’s vote in the cabinet was a small victory for Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, who is facing both the Hezbollah challenge and the objections of President Emile Lahoud.

All 18 ministers remaining in the cabinet voted for the UN plan, which begins the process of prosecuting Mr Hariri’s alleged killers in a court that should enjoy international respect.

“We tell the criminals that we will not give up our right, no matter what the difficulties and obstacles are,” Mr Saniora told reporters after the three-hour cabinet meeting. “Our aim is to achieve justice and only justice.”

Mr Hariri was killed with 22 others in a suicide truck bombing in February 2005.

The assassination sparked huge protests against Syria, which was widely seen as culpable.

Syria denied involvement, but was forced to withdraw its troops from Lebanon, ending a 29-year presence.

Subsequent elections produced an anti-Syrian majority in parliament and in the cabinet.

However, some opposition figures said the cabinet’s approval was illegal because none of the five Shi’ite ministers were present — having resigned on Saturday.

Mr Lahoud yesterday said Mr Saniora’s government was no longer legitimate because the constitution states that “all sects should be justly represented in the cabinet”.