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Syria condemns Lebanon tribunal Syria condemns Lebanon tribunal
(about 4 hours later)
Syria has condemned a Security Council decision to set up an international tribunal to try suspects in the killing of Rafik Hariri.Syria has condemned a Security Council decision to set up an international tribunal to try suspects in the killing of Rafik Hariri.
The former Lebanese PM was killed in a car bombing in Beirut in 2005.The former Lebanese PM was killed in a car bombing in Beirut in 2005.
A UN inquiry has suggested that Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services played a role in the bombing, but Syria has denied involvement.A UN inquiry has suggested that Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services played a role in the bombing, but Syria has denied involvement.
Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora said the UN decision should not be considered a victory of one party over another. Lebanon's government is backing the tribunal, but its pro-Syrian president fears it will cause fresh divisions.
"What we hope for is that the tribunal of international character will not be, in the way in which its statutes have been approved, a reason for more distance between the Lebanese," said President Emile Lahoud.
The Syrian ambassador at the UN, Bashar Jaafari, condemned the vote.The Syrian ambassador at the UN, Bashar Jaafari, condemned 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 Fouad SinioraLebanese Prime MinisterThe ratification of the international tribunal does not, and should not, be considered as a victory for one party over another Lebanese party Fouad SinioraLebanese Prime Minister
"Definitely this is something that goes against the interests of the Lebanese people and Lebanon as a whole," he told reporters after the vote."Definitely this is something that goes against the interests of the Lebanese people and Lebanon as a whole," he told reporters after the vote.
The Syrian government has in the past threatened not to co-operate with an international tribunal.The Syrian government has in the past threatened not to co-operate with an international tribunal.
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.
Lebanese crisis Rwanda example
Mr Siniora's government has been trying to get the Lebanese parliament to vote for the tribunal, but this has been blocked by the opposition.Mr Siniora's government has been trying to get the Lebanese parliament to vote for the tribunal, but this has been blocked by the opposition.
The resolution gives the Lebanese parliament one more opportunity to back the tribunal.The resolution gives the Lebanese parliament one more opportunity to back the tribunal.
The issue of the tribunal has caused deep divisions in LebanonThe issue of the tribunal has caused deep divisions in Lebanon
If the parliament does not ratify the tribunal by 10 June, the Security Council may independently authorise a tribunal, as it did in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.If the parliament does not ratify the tribunal by 10 June, the Security Council may independently authorise a tribunal, as it did in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.
The issue of the tribunal has been at the centre of a political crisis in Lebanon which has seen the opposition withdraw its ministers from the cabinet, and attempt to bring down the government through street protests.The issue of the tribunal has been at the centre of a political crisis in Lebanon which has seen the opposition withdraw its ministers from the cabinet, and attempt to bring down the government through street protests.
Eleven people have died in violence between pro- and anti-government demonstrators.Eleven people have died in violence between pro- and anti-government demonstrators.
'Political killing''Political killing'
A UN investigation after the killing found that it was "probably" politically motivated and implicated Syria and Lebanese security forces in the attack.A UN investigation after the killing found that it was "probably" politically motivated and implicated Syria and Lebanese security forces in the attack.
As well as Mr Hariri, 22 other people also died in the vast explosion in central Beirut on 14 February 2005.As well as Mr Hariri, 22 other people also died in the vast explosion in central Beirut on 14 February 2005.
NEXT STEPS FOR TRIBUNAL Lebanon must ratify tribunal by 10 June, or UN could push ahead regardlessMay take about a year to establish courtTribunal to be held in undetermined neutral locationSyria has threatened not to co-operate with the tribunalNEXT STEPS FOR TRIBUNAL Lebanon must ratify tribunal by 10 June, or UN could push ahead regardlessMay take about a year to establish courtTribunal to be held in undetermined neutral locationSyria has threatened not to co-operate with the tribunal
Syria has always strongly denied any involvement, but in 2005 it withdrew its troops from Lebanon after a presence of 29 years, following massive domestic and international pressure after the assassination of Mr Hariri.Syria has always strongly denied any involvement, but in 2005 it withdrew its troops from Lebanon after a presence of 29 years, following massive domestic and international pressure after the assassination of Mr Hariri.
Four pro-Syrian Lebanese generals have been under arrest for more than a year, accused of involvement.Four pro-Syrian Lebanese generals have been under arrest for more than a year, accused of involvement.
The Syrian government position is that the tribunal will be a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and that it will further undermine stability there.The Syrian government position is that the tribunal will be a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and that it will further undermine stability there.
As far as the alleged Syrian involvement in the assassination is concerned, the Syrians say that if a Syrian was to be formally accused of involvement, that person could only be tried by Syrian courts. As far as its alleged involvement in the assassination is concerned, Syria says that if one of its citizens was to be formally accused of involvement, that person could be tried only by Syrian courts.
Saad 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".Saad 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.
Tensions Lebanese hopes
Some of the abstaining ambassadors at the Security Council objected to the reference in the resolution to Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, used in cases of threats to international peace and security.Some of the abstaining ambassadors at the Security Council objected to the reference in the resolution to Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, used in cases of threats to international peace and security.
However, the US and its allies argued that only Chapter Seven resolutions were legally enforceable.However, the US and its allies argued that only Chapter Seven resolutions were legally enforceable.
There is a hope in Lebanon that the resolution will end a long, sad history of unpunished political assassinations, says the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut.There is a hope in Lebanon that the resolution will end a long, sad history of unpunished political assassinations, says the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut.
Reporting from the Syrian capital Damascus, Magdi Abdel Hadi says the new resolution is likely to increase the tension between Damascus and the Western-backed Lebanese government of Mr Siniora. It is also likely to increase polarisation inside Lebanon itself.Reporting from the Syrian capital Damascus, Magdi Abdel Hadi says the new resolution is likely to increase the tension between Damascus and the Western-backed Lebanese government of Mr Siniora. It is also likely to increase polarisation inside Lebanon itself.
People in Lebanon 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.People in Lebanon 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.
A Lebanese army spokesman said a soldier was killed on Thursday by sniper fire from Fatah al-Islam militants inside the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp.
At least 80 people have been killed in the fighting, including 35 soldiers, 20 civilians and at least 25 militants.