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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UN approves Hariri murder court | UN approves Hariri murder court |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The UN Security Council has approved the creation of an international court to try suspects in the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. | The UN Security Council has approved the creation of an international court to try suspects in the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. |
| The resolution was adopted by 10 votes to zero, with five abstentions from Russia, China, South Africa, Indonesia and Qatar. | The resolution was adopted by 10 votes to zero, with five abstentions from Russia, China, South Africa, Indonesia and Qatar. |
| The court's creation is the subject of intense political debate in Lebanon. | The court's creation is the subject of intense political debate in Lebanon. |
| Mr Hariri and 22 others were killed in a massive car bomb in the capital, Beirut, on 14 February 2005. | Mr Hariri and 22 others were killed in a massive car bomb in the capital, Beirut, on 14 February 2005. |
| Lebanon now has until 10 June to ratify the proposal, otherwise the Security Council may independently authorise a tribunal, as it did in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. | Lebanon now has until 10 June to ratify the proposal, otherwise the Security Council may independently authorise a tribunal, as it did in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. |
| A UN investigation after the killing implicated Syria and Lebanese security forces in the attack, although Syria strongly denies any involvement. | |
| Four pro-Syrian Lebanese generals have been under arrest for more than a year, accused of involvement. | |
| Following the vote, Syria reiterated its stance that the special court violated Lebanese sovereignty and could plunge Lebanon into further instability. | |
| Sad history | Sad history |
| Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora welcomed the vote. | |
| "The ratification of the international tribunal does not, and should not, be considered as a victory for one party over another Lebanese party. It is not a victory for one group over another. It is a victory for Lebanon, and for all the Lebanese," he said. | |
| The issue of the tribunal has caused deep divisions in LebanonSaad Hariri, the son of the assassinated politician, said the tribunal was a turning point for the country and "an opportunity for all Lebanese to unite". | The issue of the tribunal has caused deep divisions in LebanonSaad Hariri, the son of the assassinated politician, said the tribunal was a turning point for the country and "an opportunity for all Lebanese to unite". |
| Speaking live on Lebanese television he said the time had come for justice. | Speaking live on Lebanese television he said the time had come for justice. |
| The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says there is a hope here that it will end a long, sad history of unpunished political assassinations. | The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says there is a hope here that it will end a long, sad history of unpunished political assassinations. |
| People are on edge after a series of bomb attacks last week and an ongoing bloody standoff in northern Lebanon between the army and militants from the Fatah al-Islam group, she says. | People are on edge after a series of bomb attacks last week and an ongoing bloody standoff in northern Lebanon between the army and militants from the Fatah al-Islam group, she says. |
| However, the Security Council was divided on the issue. | However, the Security Council was divided on the issue. |
| The abstaining countries argued that the situation in Lebanon was so fragile that the Security Council should not be imposing the tribunal on the country. | The abstaining countries argued that the situation in Lebanon was so fragile that the Security Council should not be imposing the tribunal on the country. |
| The US, UK and France argued that political assassination should not go unpunished, and that the Lebanese government had asked the Council to act. | The US, UK and France argued that political assassination should not go unpunished, and that the Lebanese government had asked the Council to act. |
| 'Political killing' | 'Political killing' |
| There was also an argument about why the court was being set up under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, meaning it could ultimately be enforced by military action. | There was also an argument about why the court was being set up under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, meaning it could ultimately be enforced by military action. |
| Chapter VII was used to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq. However, the US and its allies argued that only Chapter VII resolutions were legally enforceable. | Chapter VII was used to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq. However, the US and its allies argued that only Chapter VII resolutions were legally enforceable. |
| Syrian President Bashar Assad has said any Syrian suspects would be tried in Syria and he would not release them to a tribunal. | Syrian President Bashar Assad has said any Syrian suspects would be tried in Syria and he would not release them to a tribunal. |
| An interim UN investigation found Mr Hariri's killing was "probably" politically motivated and has implicated Syria, but Damascus has denied any involvement in his death. | An interim UN investigation found Mr Hariri's killing was "probably" politically motivated and has implicated Syria, but Damascus has denied any involvement in his death. |
| In 2005, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon after a presence of 29 years, following massive domestic and international pressure after the assassination of Mr Hariri. | In 2005, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon after a presence of 29 years, following massive domestic and international pressure after the assassination of Mr Hariri. |