Lebanese Cabinet Approves U.N. Tribunal

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora prays at the grave of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, seen in pictures, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Nov. 13, 2006, following a cabinet meeting. The Lebanese government met on Monday and unanimously approved a U.N. draft setting up an international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of a former prime minister - despite the objections of the president and the absence of six ministers who have resigned. (AP Photo) (AP)

Saniora refused to accept Sarraf's resignation, as he had refused to accept those of the Hezbollah and Shiite Amal ministers on Saturday.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the root of the tension was fear of what may emerge in the tribunal.

"It's very clear that there are some (people), outside of Lebanon as well as inside of Lebanon, who don't want to see passage of this tribunal because, either they, themselves, are worried that they may end up before such a tribunal, or that their friends will end up before such a tribunal," McCormack told reporters.

The anti-Syrian camp in Lebanon has charged that Syria is behind the opposition to the tribunal because it seeks to avoid the prosecution of the Syrians implicated in Hariri's killing by a U.N. inquiry. Hezbollah officials have denied they are opposed to a U.N. tribunal and Aoun called the accusation "a lie."

Saniora insisted the Cabinet's move was legal. His Information Minister Ghazi Aridi extended a hand to opponents, saying the government was willing discuss their grievances.

"We have no choice but dialogue to agree on all the issues," Aridi said.

Saniora still has the necessary two-thirds of the 24-member Cabinet in order to hold meetings and make decisions, but he will find it difficult to govern as passing legislation depends on forging alliances among the many factions in parliament.

The U.N. proposals seek to create a "tribunal with an international character," but Lahoud has criticized the presence of foreign judges and said he would not pass an earlier draft.

Once the Security Council has endorsed the final draft, it must be approved by Lebanon's Cabinet again, signed by the president and approved by parliament.