suspects in ex-premier Rafik Hariri's murder and related crimes under Chapter 7.
In a statement released by his office, Berri accused Hariri and the 'illegitimate' government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora of sending "fabricated letters day and night to the United Nations … the latest a letter sent three days ago paving the way for demanding the establishment of the court under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter."

Chapter 7 spares the government the need to approve the international tribunal in parliament.

"Now our suspicions became substantial as to why the Opposition ministers were not allowed to discuss the tribunal plan," Berri said in the statement that came in response to Hariri's interview with the daily Al Hayat published earlier Saturday.

"The plot behind not allowing a discussion (over the tribunal) was eventually to resort to Chapter 7 in order to keep up pressure on the Opposition, on the Lebanese and on Lebanon,' Berri added.

Berri also denied claims by Hariri that he was seeking to wait until after the completion of the investigation into his slain father before ratifying the establishment of the international tribunal.

"The suggestion to postpone the endorsement of the tribunal plan until the completion of the international probe simply did not originate from Speaker Berri," the statement from his office said.

Siniora responds to accusations

Priem Minister Foad Siniora was outraged by the accusations made by Speaker Berri . His office issued a statement which briefly reads as follows:

- The accusation that came out from the Speaker's office was the first of its kind in Lebanon . This is not the proper way to address issues that concern the Lebanese government institutions.

- Referring to the government as "illegitimate" is an accusation that has been rejected since the Lebanese people know the truth about this issue. The Lebanese people only decide the legitimacy of the government and not the Speaker's office.

- The time has come for dialogue and for each institution to assume its democratic responsibility and specially the parliament. In reference to the fact that Berri refused to hold the special session to discuss the Hariri tribunal

- It is important to be extremely careful before making any accusations against the government. The government has a responsibility to keep the UN informed about the developments regarding defending Lebanon's rights

- The letter that was sent to the UN was not as described by Berri, but was about the petition signed by the 70 members of parliament requesting a special emergency session to discuss and approve the International tribunal for Hariri trial.

Sources: Naharnet, LBC, Ya Libnan