UN Security Council Gives Go-Ahead for Hariri Trial ; WORLD

May 31, 01:59 AM

Current Headlines: By Helen McCormack

Suspects accused of assassinating the former prime minister of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri, are to go on trial after the UN Security Council approved a resolution to establish an international court last night.

The creation of the court has been the subject of deep controversy following the murder of Hariri in a car bomb in Beirut in February 2005, with supporters of the former prime minister blaming Syria for the killing.

The resolution ends a month of deadlock between the government of the current Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora, and Libya's largely pro- Syrian, Hezbollah-led opposition.

Last month, Mr Siniora asked the Security Council to pass a resolution allowing for an international court after claiming that the opposition had blocked him from ratifying a court in Libya's parliament.

Last night's vote was a narrow victory - 10-0 - with five abstentions from Russia, China, South Africa, Indonesia and Qatar. Mr Siniora needed at least nine votes to win.

The resolution gives Lebanon a last chance to establish the tribunal itself. It has until 10 June to ratify the proposal. If it fails to do so, the Security Council can independently authorise a tribunal with a majority of international judges and an international prosecutor.

Holding back tears, Hariri's son, Saad, the leader of the Lebanese parliament's ruling majority, said in a televised speech last night that the vote was a turning point for Lebanon that would protect the country from further assassinations. "Enough divisions ... let's put our energies together for the sake of the nation," he added.

But the government appeared fearful that the celebrations would turn to violence and placed a ban on the public from firing guns in the air or setting off fireworks until this morning.

After the vote, Syria stressed the need to preserve its jurisdiction over any Syrian suspects. Four pro-Syrian Lebanese generals accused of involvement in Hariri's murder have been under arrest for the past 15 months.

The Syrian government, which has denied any responsibility for the killing, said in a statement that the resolution "violates the sovereignty of Lebanon and could cause the situation there to become worse". The Syrian President, Bashar Assad, has said any Syrian suspects would be tried in Syria and would not be released to a tribunal.

The abstaining countries objected to the proposal that the court should be established under Chapter VII of the UN charter, which deals with threats to international peace, can be militarily enforced and was used to justify the invasion of Iraq.

China's UN ambassador Wang Guang ya said the resolution would create a precedent of council "interfering in the domestic affairs and legislative independence of the sovereign state".

But Britain's UN ambassador, Emyr Jones Parry, said: "This is not a capricious ... interference in the domestic political affairs of a sovereign state. It is a considered response by the council, properly taken."

The Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett, said after the resolution was passed that it demonstrated the Security Council's "commitment to the principle that there shall be no impunity for political assassinations, in Lebanon or elsewhere".

Road to justice?

1992 Lebanese army regains control in southern Beruit.

14 February 2005 Suicide bomber kills Hariri and 22 others in Beirut. Syria withdraws troops after 29 years.

February 2006 Four pro-Syria Lebanese generals held.

April 2006 UN starts tribunal

November 2006 Lebanese cabinet backs plans but pro-Syrian cabinet members refuse to sign-up.

April 2007 Fuad Saniora asks for Security Council's help in ratifying tribunal.

May 2007 United Nations Security Council passes resolution.

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