UN legal counsel Nicolas Michel today discussed with top Lebanese officials ideas for an international court to try anyone charged with the killing of a former Lebanese prime minister.
Mr Michel, who arrived in Beirut yesterday, said he consulted the officials on ways the world body could help in setting up a court "with an international character" as requested by the Lebanese government last month.
"My presence here is to carry out these consultations . . . which we hope would be fruitful," he told reporters.
No one has yet been indicted in the killing of Rafik al-Hariri in a truck bomb in Beirut last February, but a UN investigation has already implicated senior Syrian officials and their Lebanese allies in the murder. Lebanon has also detained a number of suspects.
Syria has repeatedly denied any role in the killing, which stirred anti-Syrian protests in Lebanon and set in train events that brought withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon.
Mr Michel held separate talks with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, and the ministers of foreign affairs and justice.
"The Lebanese are unanimous on the necessity to reach to the whole truth [of who killed Hariri], though their views sometimes differ on the shape of the judicial body that should handle the trial," a statement from the presidential palace said.
The UN Security council, in a resolution adopted last month, authorised UN staff to help Beirut determine the nature and scope of assistance.
Mr Michel is also looking at whether the UN inquiry should be expanded to investigate a wave of deadly bombings in Beirut since Mr Hariri's death.