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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Lebanese Cabinet Sends International Tribunal Text to Parliament |
| 2006-12-12 |
| The Lebanese cabinet sent to parliament Tuesday a controversial text calling for the creation of a Special International Tribunal for Lebanon. So much for the Syrian ploy of trading the SIT for an end to the "crisis". "The Council of Ministers unanimously decided to send the U.N. draft on the creation of an international court to try suspects in the assassination of Rafik Hariri," Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh told Agence France Presse after a meeting of the cabinet's remaining ministers at the Grand Serail. "This is an important step in the ratification procedure ... and also affirms the presence and continuity of the government," he said. "This shows (President Emile) Lahoud and his Syrian allies who want to destabilize Lebanon that the government is moving forward on its path." Six pro-Syrian ministers resigned last month amid a political crisis that has paralyzed Premier Fouad Saniora's government and sparked mass opposition protests in downtown Beirut. Saniora, whose offices have been surrounded since December 1 by thousands of opposition protesters loyal to Hizbullah and General Michel Aoun, has refused to accept their resignations. Following the withdrawals, the remaining cabinet members went ahead and approved the final draft of a U.N. resolution on creating the court, which must get the nod from parliament before being sent to the U.N. Security Council for adoption. Lahoud promptly rejected the text, saying it was approved by an illegitimate cabinet that did not represent the Lebanese people. So says a man imposed on the Lebanese people by Syrian threats. According to Lebanon's constitution, the legal quorum for a cabinet meeting is a majority of two thirds of its members. The constitution also says the government can submit a draft text to parliament even if it is not signed by the head of state. |
| Posted by:mrp |
| #2 Cluster bombs. Thousands of them, on the streets "clogged with protesters". In a couple of hours, the streets will be clogged with the bodies of dead protesters. All Israel has to do is to hit the streets about 3:00AM, local time. Hezbollah will be trampled by the survivors. While they're at it, Olmert should use those nukes he's talking about to wipe out everything living between the Israeli border and the Litani, with the promise of going further north if Hezbollah tries to retaliate. Screw UNIFIL - they're totally worthless, and only get in the way. If France bitches, take out the DeGaulle - in port. Israel will have a secure northern border - secured by a radioactive desert. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2006-12-12 23:17 |
| #1 Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh better have someone dispensable start his car every morning |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-12-12 20:08 |