murder of former PM Rafik Hariri and related crimes.

A delegation from the parliamentary majority March 14 Forces turned in the petition, signed by more than 65 legislators, to Parliament's Secretary-General Adnan Daher.

Parliament convenes twice a year in two ordinary sessions -- the first starts mid-march until the end of May and the second from the middle of October through the end of December.

Article 33 of the Constitution confirms that extraordinary sessions can be held at the request of "an absolute majority" of the parliament.

One local observer said " The monkey is now on Berri's back. Speaker Berri will have to respond, other wise the majority could ask the deputy speaker to convene the session and in doing so they will short circuit Berri. He added "Berri can no longer hide".

Picture: Parliament building

Sources: Naharnet, Ya Libnan