Posted on 04/03/2007 9:43:56 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
BEIRUT, Lebanon - Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri locked out lawmakers from the chamber Tuesday, seeking to block efforts to approve an international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of a former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
It was the third attempt in as many weeks by lawmakers from the Parliament's anti-Syrian majority to try and force Berri, a key opposition figure, to open the chamber's doors and call a session.
Tuesday's events have deepened both the paralysis in Parliament and the political crisis in Lebanon, which since December has been buffeted by an opposition campaign to bring down the Western-backed government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.
Politicians from the anti-Syrian majority have accused Syria of attempting to undermine the country's independence through its allies in Lebanon's opposition. They say Syria, which they blame for the 2005 assassination of Hariri, aims to scuttle the formation of the court.
Syria has denied involvement in Hariri's assassination.
The quarrel between the two sides has stirred political and sectarian tensions, threatening to tear the country apart. Nine people have been killed since December in street clashes between pro- and anti-government supporters.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrives with her Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri at the Grand Saray, or prime minister's office, in Beirut. Pelosi said in Lebanon on Monday that her planned visit to neighbouring Syria was important and a good idea, despite the deep anger it has raised from the White House.(AFP/Hassan Ibrahim)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel poses for media with a teddy bear named 'Brandenburg' she was presented with by members of staff, during a visit aboard the German frigate 'Brandenburg' in the port of Beirut April 2, 2007. Merkel, on a one-day visit to Lebanon at the end of a Middle East tour, pledged on Monday more support to Lebanese security forces and the establishment of a U.N.-backed court to try suspects in the assassination of Hariri and other political attacks. REUTERS/Roland Holschneider/Pool (LEBANON)
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