U.N. Signs International Tribunal Treaty

United Nations signed an agreement setting up an international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of Hariri

Al-Moustaqbal Television reported that the United Nations signed Tuesday an agreement setting up an international tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri.

The station, in its evening news broadcast, said: "al-Moustaqbal Television learned that the United Nations signed 10 minutes ago the text of the treaty regarding the international tribunal to try assassins of martyred (ex) Premier Rafik Hariri and his colleagues."

"It also signed the bylaws of the tribunal," the terse report added without further elaboration.

The two documents have been ratified by Premier Fouad Saniora's majority government, but were never referred to parliament for final ratification because President Emile Lahoud and House Speaker Nabih Berri consider the cabinet illegal after resignation of six ministers.

Five ministers representing Hizbullah and Amal movement have resigned from the Saniora government over the international tribunal issue.

A sixth minister representing President Emile Lahoud also has resigned.

Lahoud and Berri say the government is illegal after the resignation of the six ministers.

However, the parliamentary majority still backs the Saniora government that can only be dissolved if it loses a vote of confidence at the legislature.

The Hizbullah-led opposition has been trying in vain for more than two months to topple the Saniora government.