The Belgian parliament amended a controversial law to prevent US President George W. Bush being prosecuted for war crimes over the conflict in Iraq. The law allows Belgian courts to try suspects for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, regardless of where the alleged acts took place or the nationality of the accused.
Under the amendment -- which the Belgian Senate must approve before it takes effect -- a federal prosecutor will decide in certain cases whether to accept a suit filed under the so-called "universal competence" law.
This was one of the "filters" that lawmakers inserted into the law to prevent plaintiffs bringing "harebrained" lawsuits.
Critics of the law, including the United States, have warned Belgium that its role as host to international institutions like NATO and the European Union, would be threatened if a war crimes suit were filed against Bush.
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