Lebanon strikers call for unity

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Businesses in Lebanon have closed down for a two-day strike over the killing of politician Pierre Gemayel.

Business leaders said they hoped the action would move Lebanon closer to a "national dialogue" and ward off the threat of division and street protests.

The strike came as Prime Minister Fouad Siniora called a cabinet meeting to discuss a UN plan for an international tribunal to investigate the killing.

Lebanese factions are split over allegations of Syrian involvement.

The industry minister and Maronite Christian politician was shot in his car in a Christian area of Beirut on Tuesday.

Many Lebanese accuse Damascus of orchestrating the 34-year-old's murder, although Syria explicitly denies any involvement.

The UN Security Council has agreed to a request from the Lebanese government to help investigate Mr Gemayel's murder.

His killing will be probed by the same tribunal that implicated senior Syrian officials and pro-Syrian Lebanese in the 2005 killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Pro-Syrian elements in Lebanon now fear the UN body will seek to blame Damascus for the latest killing, despite strenuous Syrian denials of involvement.

Government weakened

Factories, banks, and financial institutions closed down on Friday as Beirut responded to the strike call.

Hezbollah has threatened to call street protests next week.

Correspondents say the government is accusing Hezbollah of exploiting the delicate political situation in Lebanon to try and block the UN-backed probe into the Hariri killing.

Government ministers will hold an emergency cabinet session on Saturday to rubber-stamp the UN plans, amid new fears that the anti-Syrian coalition could be in danger.

Six pro-Syrian cabinet members - including representatives of Hezbollah - have already resigned.

The death or resignation of two more cabinet ministers would bring down the government.

Pro-Syrian groups have already said the UN plan is illegal under Lebanon's constitution.

In 2005, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon following 29 years of military and political rule over its smaller neighbour, after massive international pressure following the assassination of Mr Hariri.