UN draft approved amid resignations in Lebanon

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But votes were taken in the absence of six Pro-Syrian, mainly Shi'ite, ministers. They've left in a flurry of resignations over the last few days prompted by disputes with the Prime Minister over veto power in the government. Ongoing UN investigations into last year's assassinations had earlier implicated several Syrian officials, prompting a call last month from Hizbullah's Pro-Syrian leader, Hassan Nasrallah, for greater veto power to protect Syria from possible prosecution. With just 18 ministers remaining, some question the validity of this latest decision. But Saniora has defended it as legal, giving approval on behalf of the six absent.

Fuad Saniora said, “We definitely think our brothers who were not able to attend this meeting were with us in this historic session and they've assured me many times that they're committed to knowing the truth through the international tribunal.”

The suicide bomb attack in February last year killed more than twenty, including the then Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri. It sparked massive anti-Syrian protests, forcing Syrian troops to withdraw from Lebanon, ending almost 30 years of military presence. Elections which followed promptly brought an anti-Syrian majority to power in both parliament and the cabinet.

 

Editor:Sun Luying