U.N. seeks justice in Lebanon assassination

05/31/2007

By Maggie Farley,
LA Times Staff Writer
May 31, 2007


A divided Security Council decided Wednesday to establish an international tribunal to prosecute suspects in the assassination of Rafik Hariri, a former prime minister of Lebanon, whose death in a massive truck bombing has roiled relations between that country and Syria for more than two years.

The resolution to set up the special court won 10 votes, just one more than necessary for approval. Russia, China, Qatar, Indonesia and South Africa abstained. Russia and China said they feared U.N. "interference" would worsen tensions in Lebanon.

A U.N.-sponsored investigation has tentatively linked Syrian officials to the crime. But Syria denies responsibility and has refused to cooperate fully with the international court, calling it "politicized."

Hariri, who served two terms as prime minister, was killed in Beirut on Feb. 14, 2005, by the bombing, which took 22 other lives. His supporters accused Syria of masterminding the killing and staged widespread demonstrations against the government in Damascus. The protests led Syria to withdraw its troops from a nation it had dominated since the 1970s.

"By adopting this resolution, the council has demonstrated its commitment to the principle that there shall be no impunity for political assassinations in Lebanon or elsewhere," said U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad.

The Bush administration, along with Britain and France, had pushed for the tribunal. But by raising tensions with Syria, the administration's victory could prove costly on other fronts.

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