The Lebanese government approved on Monday a draft U.N. framework for the creation of an international court on the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the official NNA news agency reported.

The move was made after an extraordinary session of the cabinet requested by Prime Minister Fouad Seniora, who had insisted on holding the meeting despite the resignation of six pro-Syrian ministers and opposition from President Emile Lahoud.

Earlier in the day, Environment Minister Yaacoub Sarraf announced his resignation from the government, two days after five Shiite cabinet members quit the 24-member cabinet following collapse of rival leaders' efforts to reach an agreement on the formation of a national unity government.

President Lahoud had opposed the convention, saying said any government meeting after Hezbollah and allied ministers' resignations would be unconstitutional.

The special session was attended by all ministers but for the six resigned ministers, but the validity of the decision was overshadowed as resignation of one-third of the cabinet would automatically bring down the government.

Hariri was killed in a bombing attack in February last year.

Source: Xinhua