Annan seeks tribunal for Hariri suspects

UN/Lebanon: United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan has called upon the UN Security Council to authorise negotiations for the creation of an international tribunal to try suspects in connection with the murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

Mr Annan said it was impossible to hold such trials in Lebanon because a series of bombings had "contributed to a climate of insecurity and intimidation which seriously affects the functioning of the country's political institutions as well as economic and social life."

Exploratory talks have been taking place between UN legal counsel Nicolas Michel and the Lebanese judiciary to prepare for the creation of the mixed tribunal.

Mr Hariri and 22 others died when a vehicle laden with explosives crashed into his motorcade on February 14th, 2005. The bomb that killed them was one of 15 which followed the contested extension in the term of office of President Emile Lahoud.

Mr Lahoud is a close ally of Syria, which had troops in Lebanon before it was forced to withdraw following Mr Hariri's assassination.

Lebanon's prime minister, Fuad Siniora, asked Mr Annan last December to amend the mandate of the UN commission investigating Mr Hariri's murder to include the other bombings and to constitute a special court with Lebanese and foreign judges which would meet outside the country.

The first of these requests was promptly granted. Serge Brammertz, the new commissioner, broadened the investigation when he assumed office in January. The council is expected to adopt a resolution acceding to Mr Annan's suggestion.

However, progress on the court could deepen an already serious rift between rival Lebanese camps at a time when politicians are meant to be reconciling through dialogue.

Protesting Mr Siniora's initiative on the special court, pro-Syrian Shia ministers belonging to the powerful Hizbullah movement suspended participation in the cabinet for three months. They claimed its decisions had to be taken by consensus rather than dictated by the majority.

Four senior Lebanese security officials linked to Syria have been arrested and charged with involvement in Mr Hariri's death. Allegations have been made against key Syrian figures but no charges have been laid.

In his initial report to the council, Mr Brammertz said Damascus was assisting the investigation but he observed that success depended on continuation of Syria's full co-operation.

Mr Brammertz is soon to meet Syrian president Bashar Assad and vice-president Farouk Sharaa to discuss the case.