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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UN says 'criminals' killed Hariri | UN says 'criminals' killed Hariri |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Evidence suggests the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated by a "criminal network", an investigating UN team has said. | Evidence suggests the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated by a "criminal network", an investigating UN team has said. |
| No suspects were named, but the investigators said a "Hariri Network" had Mr Hariri under surveillance before the assassination. | No suspects were named, but the investigators said a "Hariri Network" had Mr Hariri under surveillance before the assassination. |
| The ex-PM and 22 other people died in a huge car bombing in Beirut in 2005. | The ex-PM and 22 other people died in a huge car bombing in Beirut in 2005. |
| Past UN inquiries suggested that Syrian and Lebanese intelligence forces had played a role - which Syria denied. | Past UN inquiries suggested that Syrian and Lebanese intelligence forces had played a role - which Syria denied. |
| The UN panel, headed by Canadian former prosecutor Daniel Bellemare, said in the 10th report on the case that it could now confirm that "on the basis of available evidence... a network of individuals acted in concert to carry out the assassination", said the news agency AFP. | The UN panel, headed by Canadian former prosecutor Daniel Bellemare, said in the 10th report on the case that it could now confirm that "on the basis of available evidence... a network of individuals acted in concert to carry out the assassination", said the news agency AFP. |
| The commission suggests this network was responsible for other attacks against high-profile Lebanese figures, and at least part of the network continued to operate after Mr Hariri's killing. | The commission suggests this network was responsible for other attacks against high-profile Lebanese figures, and at least part of the network continued to operate after Mr Hariri's killing. |
| Lebanon has been in crisis and without a president for months, amid a drawn-out power struggle between the pro- and anti-Syrian factions. | |
| Problems | Problems |
| The report suggests progress is being made in identifying the bomber who killed Mr Hariri, reports the BBC's Matthew Price at UN headquarters in New York. | The report suggests progress is being made in identifying the bomber who killed Mr Hariri, reports the BBC's Matthew Price at UN headquarters in New York. |
| It says it has received close co-operation from Lebanese authorities, and "generally satisfactory" co-operation from Syria - a country which continues to deny official involvement in the Hariri killing. | It says it has received close co-operation from Lebanese authorities, and "generally satisfactory" co-operation from Syria - a country which continues to deny official involvement in the Hariri killing. |
| However, the report identifies some problems hampering the investigation - including the political and security situation in Lebanon, and a lack of resources from the UN itself. | However, the report identifies some problems hampering the investigation - including the political and security situation in Lebanon, and a lack of resources from the UN itself. |
| The commission is using forensic information and DNA profiling in its investigation. | The commission is using forensic information and DNA profiling in its investigation. |
| Complex politics | |
| Mr Hariri's death triggered huge demonstrations in Lebanon against the Syrians. | |
| Despite its denial of involvement, Damascus eventually bowed to international pressure, pulling out its troops after nearly 30 years of military presence. | |
| Investigators have previously pointed to links between Mr Hariri's death and many other attacks in Lebanon since 2004. | |
| Analysts say Lebanon is the most politically complex and religiously divided country in the Middle East. |