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BEIRUT, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese government approved on Saturday plans for a special tribunal to try those accused of assassinating former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said.

Aridi made the remarks after an extraordinary cabinet session without six resigned pro-Syrian ministers.

The approval, though widely expected, was bound to deepen the country's political crisis and spark mass street demonstrations by Hezbollah and its allies to topple the government led by Prime Minister Fouad Seniora.

Six pro-Syrian ministers resigned earlier this month after the country's leaders failed to reach an agreement on formation of a national unity government.

The pro-Syrian bloc said that Seniora's government had lost its legitimacy since Shiite Muslims are no longer represented.

Seniora insisted that the approval was not "a provocation" against its opponents. "On the contrary, it is aimed at protecting everybody," the prime minister said in a statement.

Seniora said that the creation of the international tribunal would help uncover "the truth" of Hariri's assassination.

Hariri was killed in a massive bomb blast in Beirut in February2005. An ongoing UN probe has implicated Syrian officials in the killing, but Damascus has denied its role.

Hariri's death sparked massive protests in Lebanon. Under mounting international pressure, Syria withdrew its forces from Lebanon in April 2005.

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council approved on Tuesday a letter to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which authorizes the creation of an international tribunal to try the suspects in the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the French envoy to the UN said.

Jean-Marc de la Sabliere told reporters as he emerged from a council meeting at which council members also adopted a presidential statement "unequivocally" condemning the assassination of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel.

Lebanese interior minister draws back resignation

BEIRUT, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese resigned Interior Minister Hassan Al Sabaa announced on Thursday that he drew back his resignation from the government, the official NNA news agency reported.

"In response to Prime Minister's (Fouad Seniora) appeal, and in view of the delicate political situation in Lebanon... I announce drawing back my resignation from the government," Sabaa was quoted as saying in a statement released Thursday night.

Lebanese PM heads security meeting on Gemayel's killing

BEIRUT, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora chaired here on Wednesday a meeting of the Lebanese Central Security Council to discuss developments regarding the assassination of Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel.

Following the meeting, Lebanon's acting Interior Minister Ahmad Fatfat told reporters that general attorney and heads of security bodies briefed Seniora with the latest developments on the Gemayel case.

Lebanese minister shot dead in Beirut

A Lebanese woman carries a picture of assassinated Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel in the Christian town of Bekfaya, northeast of Beirut.

A Lebanese woman carries a picture of assassinated Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel in Bekfaya, northeast of Beirut, November 21, 2006. (AFP Photo)
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BEIRUT, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Industry Minister and Christian leader Pierre Gemayel was shot dead on a street in the suburb of Beirut on Tuesday, al-Jazeera TV channel quoted the Lebanese Interior Ministry as saying.

Saad Hariri, parliament's majority leader and son of the late Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, broke off his televised press conference and confirmed the news, al-Jazeera said.

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