UN creates special court to try Lebanese assassination suspe

[Daanyeer]

UN creates special court to try Lebanese assassination suspects

Source: CBC
May 30, 2007



The UN Security Council voted Wednesday to create an international tribunal to try future suspects in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

No suspects have been named, but it is widely believed Syrian secret service agents were behind the truck bombing that killed Hariri and 20 others on Feb. 14, 2005. Syria has denied the claim.

Ten members of the security council voted in favour of the resolution, while five countries abstained — Russia, China, South Africa, Qatar and Indonesia.

"This is a symbolic resolution because no suspects have been named in the assassination of Rafik Hariri," said CBC journalist Neil Herland, who reports on the United Nations.

"It also shows that the UN Security Council supports the current prime minister of Lebanon, Fouad Siniora, and his government, and not the opposition Hezbollah faction, which does not support the creation of a tribunal."

In the hours leading up to the vote, Hariri's supporters celebrated in his hometown of Sidon in southern Lebanon. Carrying Lebanese flags and pictures of the assassinated leader, they handed out sweets and flowers to passing motorists in what they called "love checkpoints."

Hariri's son, Saad Hariri, said the vote would be a turning point for Lebanon.

"[It's a] victory the world has given to oppressed Lebanon and a victory for an oppressed Lebanon in the world," he said in a speech shown on TV. "Enough divisions. Let's put our energies together for the sake of the nation."

Tribunal talks divide Lebanese government

Lebanon's prime minister asked the council to create the tribunal earlier this month, a request that has pitted his government against Syrian-supported Hezbollah opposition.

Britain, France and the U.S. drafted the UN resolution.

"The proposed tribunal is vital for Lebanon, for justice and for the region," said Emyr Jones Parry, the British ambassador to the UN.

"This is not a capricious intervention, interference in the domestic political affairs of a sovereign state," he added.

It is a considered response by the council, he said, and was "properly taken."

Russia, an ally of Syria, and China were leery of the resolution because it cited Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, allowing military force to be used if needed.

Indonesia, South Africa and Qatar expressed concern that the resolution called for intervening in what they believe is a domestic matter.

Hariri was critical of Syrian presence
The 60-year-old Hariri, a billionaire tycoon, served as prime minister from 1992 to 2004, although he resigned in 1998 for two years when pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud was elected president.

During his time in office, Hariri became increasingly critical of Syria's involvement in Lebanon and the troops it had stationed in the country.

After his assassination, Syria withdrew the last of its soldiers, ending a 29-year presence in the country.