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Hariri suspects' release ordered Hariri suspects' release ordered
(about 1 hour later)
A UN court has ordered the release of four Lebanese generals held over the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. A UN court has ordered the release of four Lebanese generals held without charge since 2005 over the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
They have been held without charge in Lebanon for four years - but were recently transferred to UN custody.
Supporters of the generals, mainly from the pro-Syrian Hezbollah, fired guns into the air to celebrate the decision.Supporters of the generals, mainly from the pro-Syrian Hezbollah, fired guns into the air to celebrate the decision.
The UN court was set up to try those suspected of being behind the suicide attack which killed Mr Hariri in 2005. The generals are held in a prison in Lebanon under a UN mandate. Lebanese officials said the court's order would be carried out immediately.
Another 22 people also died in the bombing. The UN court was set up to investigate the 2005 attack which killed Mr Hariri.
Another 22 people also died in the suicide bombing.
The decision to free the generals comes less than two months ahead of finely-balanced legislative elections that pit the pro-Syrian bloc against their pro-Western rivals, including Mr Hariri's own political movement now led by his son.
Insufficient evidenceInsufficient evidence
The four men in custody were pro-Syrian generals who all held senior positions in the country's security infrastructure.The four men in custody were pro-Syrian generals who all held senior positions in the country's security infrastructure.
They are: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
  • Republican Guard commander Mustafa Hamdan
  • 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
  • Republican Guard commander Mustafa Hamdan
They were suspected of planning the assassination and carrying out terrorist acts.They were suspected of planning the assassination and carrying out terrorist acts.
Belgian pre-trial judge Daniel Fransen ruled that there was not enough evidence to hold them.Belgian pre-trial judge Daniel Fransen ruled that there was not enough evidence to hold them.
"The pre-trial judge orders, unless they are held in another case, the release with immediate effect," the judge said."The pre-trial judge orders, unless they are held in another case, the release with immediate effect," the judge said.
Syria linkSyria link
The decision was greeted with jubilation on the streets of Beirut by supporters of the generals, who fired guns in the air in celebration. The decision, which was broadcast live on Lebanese television, was greeted with jubilation on the streets of Beirut by supporters of the generals.
Naji Bustany, lawyer for Mustafa Hamdan and Raymond Azar, welcomed the decision, but said it should have been taken earlier.Naji Bustany, lawyer for Mustafa Hamdan and Raymond Azar, welcomed the decision, but said it should have been taken earlier.
"After 44 months, justice has been done. It should have been 43 months ago," he told the AFP news agency."After 44 months, justice has been done. It should have been 43 months ago," he told the AFP news agency.
Analysts say the release of the generals is likely to give a boost to Lebanon's pro-Syrian opposition, led by Hezbollah, in an election to be held in June. BBC analyst Sebastian Usher says the pro-Syrian opposition led by Hezbollah can use this decision to back up its belief Syria had nothing to do with Mr Hariri's killing.
But the generals could still be indicted at a later stage despite the tribunal's decision. It will be an equivalent blow to the pro-Western coalition that won the last elections and pointed to the generals' arrest as clear vindication of their accusation that Syria was behind Mr Hariri's assassination.
There is widespread suspicion that Syria was involved in Mr Hariri's killing, though Damascus strongly denies this. As for the UN special tribunal, which only started its operations last month, it now has no suspects in detention and the chief prosecutor has yet to name any new ones.
The assassination prompted massive demonstrations, which led to an end of decades of Syrian control over Lebanon. Sources close to the tribunal say it is making substantial progress, however.
The assassination prompted massive demonstrations, which led to an end of decades of Syrian control over Lebanon, although Syria denied involvement in the killing.