BEIRUT: Beirut MP Gebran Tueni demanded that the Cabinet investigate the the death of 13 unidentified soldiers whose bodies were excavated from the grounds of the Defense Ministry at Yarze in November. The bodies belonged to men who participated in the October 13, 1990, battle between MP Michel Aoun, then Army Commander and head of the acting militarygovernment, and Syrian troops.

Tueni was addressing the Cabinet during Parliament’s question session Tuesday that tackled several other issues related to the environment, health and social affairs sector. "We hope the Cabinet will form an inquiry team to investigate their deaths," said Tueni, adding the team should interrogate President Emile Lahoud, who was commander of the army at the time. "President Emile Lahoud should be questioned because he was army commander and he did not protect the army’s dignity. He is the main person responsible," said Tueni.

The statement said "the bodies of the soldiers were beyond recognition; therefore they were buried quietly in the grounds of the Defense Ministry but in the presence of religious figures so it was a proper burial."

Tueni further claimed the Syrian security system was responsible for the mass graves  found recently in Anjar and demanded an international investigation into thie affair.

He said: "Syrian forces claimed to be a protective force in Lebanon and not part of the war. If so, then why were the mass graves found in an area controlled by them? There should be an international investigation into this."

Yaacoub Sarraf, environment minister and acting defense minister, reiterated the Cabinet’s commitment to uncover the truth behind the graves found in the Defense Ministry and to identify the bodies and when they died.

Meanwhile, debate over the formation of an international court to try suspects in the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri continued Tuesday as more opposing and supporting opinions emerged.

Amal Movement MP Ali Khreis said "it is still premature to demand the formation of an international court at this stage because no one is accused yet and the investigation is not over."

"For whom will they set up this court when there are phoney witnesses who gave false testimonies?" he asked.

However, the Democratic Renewal Movement led by former MP Nassib Lahoud, said it was very important to establish an international court to deal with Hariri’s assassination as some of the suspects are non-Lebanese high-ranking officials.

The movement added in a statement: "If any political party fears the international tribunal will be involved in additional cases, these fears are not logical as there is a Lebanese agreement to limit the mandate of this court to trying suspects in Hariri’s murder."

Minister of State for Administrative Development, Jean Hogasapian said the international tribunal is the only court to declare suspects’ innocence regardless of their nationality.

"We call upon all politicians to agree on the formation of the international tribunal which will grant every innocent its innocence regardless of his nationality," said Hogasapian during a news conference Tuesday. 

He rejected claims the formation of the court is premature saying its establishment is a long and complicated process that includes appointing judges, a general prosecutor and defining forensic procedures.

Free Patriotic Movement MP Ibrahim Kanaan said his party supports the idea of forming an international court, insisting on taking into considerations political parties’ fears regarding the court, referring to Hizbullah’s reluctance over the idea.

"An international court is something we approve of and want. But we also insist on the importance of considering opposite point of views and of putting Lebanon’s interest as a key issue," said Kanaan.