'Sensitive and Complicated Phase' in Seeking Justice for Hariri

by Daniel Freedman
Wed, 13 Dec 2006 at 7:51 AM
updated Sun, 14 Jan 2007 at 1:48 PM

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"The head of the United Nations inquiry into the assassination of Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister of Lebanon, said Tuesday that his investigation had reached a 'sensitive and complicated phase,' but that he could not discuss it for fear of endangering investigators and witnesses," the New York Times reports. Meantime, the AP reports:

The U.N. inquiry into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has now identified suspects and witnesses and found possible links to 14 other murders or attempted murders in Lebanon in the last two years, the chief investigator said Tuesday.

The AP also reports:

Prime Minister Fuad Saniora's Cabinet reaffirmed Tuesday its approval of a U.N. plan for an international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of a former prime minister - a fresh challenge to the Hezbollah-led, pro-Syrian opposition seeking to oust the U.S.-backed prime minister.

Will Syria finally be held accountable and lose its ability to plan more assassinations in Lebanon?

Lebanese women supporters of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, hold banners that read "you make us proud" and a picture of Saniora, left, and leader of parliament's majority Saad Hariri, right, at the Government House in Beirut, Lebanon Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006. Saniora's government pushed ahead Tuesday with a challenge to the Hezbollah-led opposition, which has been waging street protests to oust him, as the chief of the Arab League arrived to mediate. (AP Photo/Ahmad Omar)