Siniora defends Lebanon govt, wary of protests

BEIRUT, Nov 21 (Reuters) Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said today his depleted cabinet was legitimate despite the resignation of six pro-Syrian ministers, and warned that any anti-government protests could turn violent.

Pro-Syrian Hezbollah and its allies are preparing to take to the streets to topple Siniora's government, which they accuse of being allied with the United States, arguing that it had lost its legitimacy since Shi'ite Muslims are no longer represented.

The six ministers, including all the Shi'ites, quit earlier this month after all-party talks on Hezbollah demand for an effective veto power in government collapsed.

The lack of Shi'ite ministers has thrown into question the constitutional status of the cabinet in a country. The country's Syrian-backed president and parliament speaker, as well as Hezbollah and other allies, have said it was unconstitutional.

''We have to realise that this government still enjoys constitutional legitimacy,'' Siniora told reporters, adding that he acknowledges that the lack of Shi'ite ministers was a major shortfall.

''We still pin great hopes (for resolving the crisis) through the one and only route available for the Lebanese ... which is a return to the negotiating table.'' The anti-Syrian ruling majority claim that the opposition withdrew from government to try to block progress towards the establishment of an international tribunal to try suspects in the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called on his followers at the weekend to prepare for peaceful protests to topple what he described as a US government in Lebanon.

He told them to get ready to take to the streets to demand a national unity government or early parliamentary elections but did not say when Hezbollah, in conjunction with other opposition forces, would call for the protests.

Siniora said Nasrallah new well that his government was not tied to Washington, which sees Hezbollah as a terrorist group.

''God will punish those who hurl accusations unfairly,'' he said.

Asked whether he feared street protests could lead to violence, Siniora said: ''This is a real concern... I can't really deny the fact that there might be some infiltrators, or some people who are overzealous...

''We have to be very careful under the present circumstances in which tensions are running high ... We have to be extra careful at the present time.'' A UN inquiry into the Febuary 14, 2005 Hariri killing has implicated Syrian and Lebanese security officials. Damascus denies involvement.

Work on the international tribunal began after Siniora asked UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan last December for help in bringing the killers to justice once they were identified.

The depleted Lebanese cabinet met on November 13 despite the resignations to approve the draft framework for the tribunal and the UN Security Council is discussing the court this week.

Reuters PDM GC1934