Lebanon’s political crisis deepened as the cabinet approved the framework of an international tribunal to try suspected killers former prime minister Rafiq Hariri in the absence of six pro-Syrian ministers.

Yacoub Sarraf, environment minister and a supporter of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, stepped down after the weekend resignation of five Shia ministers from Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal movement, over the failure of unity talks.