Lebanese political crisis deepens after resignation of Shiite Muslim ministers

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 11-13-2006 09:26

Lebanon's political crisis took a turn for the worse on Sunday after the president said the Cabinet was no longer legitimate, following the resignation of five Shiite Muslim ministers.

President Emile Lahoud sent a letter to Prime Minister Fuad Saniora's office, saying that the 24-member Cabinet was no longer constitutional after all five Shiite Muslim ministers resigned on Saturday.

Lahoud's position is a blow to his political rival, Prime Minister Saniora, but does not carry any legal weight because the Lebanese president does not have the power to dissolve the government.

Lahoud's opponents in the parliamentary majority called on the government to meet anyway ... to approve the formation of an international tribunal for the assassination of the country's former prime minister Rafik Hariri.

The parliamentary majority backed by the United States is opposed to Syria. It's accused Hezbollah and Amal, of doing Damascus's and Tehran's bidding and to undermine the formation of the international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of the former prime minister.

Saad Harir, son of late prime minister Rafik Hariri, said: "We are calling upon the Lebanese government to respect the decision that was taken on December 12, 2005, in the presence of the Lebanese president, that calls for the formation of an international tribunal. We call on the government to approve the framework of the agreement with the United Nations and the basic law for the international tribunal.""

Syria has been blamed for Rafik Hariri's assassination in 2005.

While a UN investigation has also implicated senior Syrian and allied Lebanese security officials.

Editor:Wang Ping