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Hariri court opens at The Hague Hariri court opens at The Hague
(about 1 hour later)
An international court set up to try the suspected killers of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri has opened, four years after the killing. An international court set up to try the suspected killers of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has opened in the Netherlands.
The tribunal, sitting at The Hague, could take up to five years to examine evidence gathered during a UN investigation into the assassination. The tribunal, sitting at the Hague, is expected to ask Lebanon to hand over four pro-Syrian generals held over the February 2005 killing within weeks.
Mr Hariri and 22 other people were killed in the 2005 bombing in Beirut that his allies blamed on Syria. Mr Hariri and 22 other people died when a massive blast ripped through Mr Hariri's convoy in Beirut.
Syria denied any role. Four people in custody have not been charged. His allies have accused Syria of involvement, a charge Damascus denies.
But they are considered most likely to be the first defendants to appear before the court - although a trial date has yet to be set. A trial date has yet to be set and the hearing could last for five years.
Senior officialsSenior officials
The Canadian prosecutor, Daniel Bellamare, has 60 days to ask the Lebanese authorities for their transfer to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
"The prosecutor has kept his cards very close to his chest," said court registrar Robin Vincent about potential suspects and evidence, AFP news agency reported."The prosecutor has kept his cards very close to his chest," said court registrar Robin Vincent about potential suspects and evidence, AFP news agency reported.
"It is important that he does that for confidentiality.""It is important that he does that for confidentiality."
The four men in custody were pro-Syrian generals who all held senior positions in the country's security infrastructure. Robin Vincent said prosecution plans remained confidentialThe four men in custody were pro-Syrian generals who all held senior positions in the country's security infrastructure. Robin Vincent said prosecution plans remained confidential
They are former head of General Security Maj Gen Jamil al-Sayyad, former chief of police Maj Gen Ali Hajj, former military intelligence chief Brig Gen Raymond Azar and Republican Guard commander Mustafa Hamdan.They are former head of General Security Maj Gen Jamil al-Sayyad, former chief of police Maj Gen Ali Hajj, former military intelligence chief Brig Gen Raymond Azar and Republican Guard commander Mustafa Hamdan.
Last week, three civilians, two of them Lebanese and one Syrian, were released from custody.Last week, three civilians, two of them Lebanese and one Syrian, were released from custody.
The court, with 11 judges, was created in 2007 by the UN, but will open with a formal ceremony on Sunday. The court, with 11 judges, was created in 2007 by the UN, but opened with a formal ceremony on Sunday.
Canadian prosecutor Daniel Bellemare, who led the investigation into the killing, will address the ceremony.
The prosecutor has 60 days, from 1 March, to apply to the Lebanese authorities for the transfer of suspects and evidence files.
The tribunal is what many Lebanese have long been waiting for, says BBC correspondent Natalia Antelava in Beirut.The tribunal is what many Lebanese have long been waiting for, says BBC correspondent Natalia Antelava in Beirut.
The assassination caused such a public outcry in Lebanon that Syria was forced to withdraw its troops, ending its 30-year domination of Lebanon, and changing the course of the country's history, she added.The assassination caused such a public outcry in Lebanon that Syria was forced to withdraw its troops, ending its 30-year domination of Lebanon, and changing the course of the country's history, she added.
Improving relationsImproving relations
The allies of the former prime minister blamed it on Syria, which was then Lebanon's political master.The allies of the former prime minister blamed it on Syria, which was then Lebanon's political master.
Damascus has always denied it had anything to do with the attack, but in its early stages the UN investigation implicated top-level Syrian security officials, including the president's brother-in-law.Damascus has always denied it had anything to do with the attack, but in its early stages the UN investigation implicated top-level Syrian security officials, including the president's brother-in-law.
However, the current investigator has been much less outspoken and it is not clear whether the tribunal will have enough evidence to prove a link to Syria.However, the current investigator has been much less outspoken and it is not clear whether the tribunal will have enough evidence to prove a link to Syria.
And some in Lebanon are sceptical about whether the tribunal will ever be able to uncover the full truth - especially because the overall political climate in the region has changed, our correspondent adds.And some in Lebanon are sceptical about whether the tribunal will ever be able to uncover the full truth - especially because the overall political climate in the region has changed, our correspondent adds.
Syria and Lebanon have recently established diplomatic ties and the West is keen to improve its relations with Damascus.Syria and Lebanon have recently established diplomatic ties and the West is keen to improve its relations with Damascus.
The UN's under-secretary general for legal affairs, Patricia O'Brien said it was vital that the tribunal's investigation was transparent.
"A key element for the success of the Special Tribunal is not only that justice be done but that also justice must be seen to be done.
"As the Special Tribunal seat is located outside Lebanon, the development of an effective and comprehensive outreach programme bringing the activities of the Special Tribunal closer to the population of Lebanon and the wider region is a priority."