Hariri assassination probe approved
A weakened Lebanese government on Monday approved a U.N. plan for an international tribunal for suspects in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri – despite the resignation of six ministers and the objections of the president.
The vote was a victory for Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, who is facing a Hezbollah threat of mass protests unless the group and its Shiite Muslim allies gain effective veto power in the Cabinet. All 18 ministers remaining in the Cabinet voted for the U.N. plan, which begins the process of prosecuting Hariri’s alleged killers in a court with international legitimacy.
The draft document now returns to the Security Council for endorsement, but its final approval was far from certain.
Hariri was killed with 22 others in a suicide truck bombing in February 2005. The assassination sparked huge protests against Syria, which denied involvement.
MOGADISHU, Somalia
Islamists ready for new peace talks
The Islamic movement that controls the capital and most of Somalia’s south said Monday it was ready to resume peace talks with the war-battered East African nation’s weak government, providing Ethiopian troops return home first.
Meanwhile, hundreds of militiamen loyal to the transitional government were massing in the central town of Galkayo, which the Islamic courts militia fighters were expected to try to seize as they expand territory under their control, residents and officials said.
Peace talks between the Islamic movement and the government collapsed in October, with the Islamists saying the Ethiopian troops’ presence made the peace initiative untenable and insisting they return home.
Abdirahman Janaqow, deputy chairman of the Islamic courts’ executive body, reiterated the demand on Monday and said if the Ethiopians left, peace talks could resume.
OAXACA, Mexico
Safety concerns close university
Classes resumed briefly Monday at the university used as a headquarters by leftist protesters, but lessons were suspended again amid security concerns in the southern Mexican city wracked by six months of unrest.
The protesters set up their headquarters at Oaxaca’s Autonomous Benito Juarez University early this month after police drove them from the city’s main plaza, which they had occupied for months in a bid to force Oaxaca’s state governor to resign.
Some students complained Monday as classes resumed that they were intimidated by masked protesters who shouted “traitors.” The leftist protesters also say they fear for their safety after almost daily shootings at them by pro-government armed groups driving by the university in cars and trucks.
Amid the insecurity, university spokesman Carlos Pazaran said there would be no further classes until safe conditions were guaranteed.