The Lebanese government has approved a draft United Nations framework of a special court to investigate the murder of former Prime Minister, Rafik al-Hariri. It comes amid a political crisis. A sixth cabinet minister has resigned following the failure of talks for Hizbollah to have more say in government. Another two ministers would need to quit for the current government to fall.

But Prime Minister Fouad Siniora says he will not accept the resignations. Some politicians say the crisis is likely to spill into street violence that could shatter stability and damage efforts to recover from a devastating war with Israel. Leaders of the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority say the latest moves reveal a “hidden plot” by Syria and Iran to stop the establishment of the Hariri tribunal and foil the UN resolution that halted the conflict between Hizbollah and Israel in August. Many Lebanese blame Syria for the assassination of Hariri. He died in a suicide truck bombing last year. Damascus denies involvement in the killing which led to mass protests against Syria.

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