BEIRUT – A UN-backed tribunal seeking the killers of Lebanese statesman Rafik al-Hariri issued indictments and arrest warrants to Lebanon yesterday that officials said accused members of the militant Hizbullah group of involvement.
The long-awaited move was hailed as a “historic moment” by Hariri’s son, opposition leader Saad al-Hariri, but poses an immediate challenge to the new government of Najib Mikati, whose cabinet is dominated by Hizbullah allies.
Prosecutor Saeed Mirza gave no details of the indictments. Lebanese officials said four warrants were issued for Hizbullah members, including senior leader Mustafa Badreddine, who was jailed in Kuwait over a series of bombings in 1983 and is a brother-in-law of slain Hizbullah commander Imad Moughniyeh.
The assassination of Hariri on February 14th, 2005 plunged Lebanon into a series of political crises, killings and bombings which led to sectarian clashes in May 2008, dragging the country back to the brink of civil war.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon called on nations to support the tribunal. – (Reuters)