Now Lebanon - Hariri hails UN indictment as “historic” - June 30, 2011

Lebanese opposition leader Saad Hariri, son of assassinated ex-Premier Rafik Hariri, on Thursday hailed the release of a UN indictment in his father's 2005 murder as a hard-won “historic moment.”

“Together we witness a historical moment in Lebanon’s political, judicial, security and ethical life,” Hariri said, according to a statement issued by his office.

“We have struggled together for this historical moment…I feel my heartbeats embracing the hearts of all the Lebanese who defended the cause of justice and refused to compromise on the blood of the martyrs,” Hariri added.

He said that the progress in the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is “for all the Lebanese without exception.”

“This progress should be the turning point in the history of the fight against political organized crimes in Lebanon and in the Arab world.”

Hariri thanked the relevant bodies that “contributed to the investigation of crimes that targeted Lebanese figures.”

He warned against obstructing the probe of the STL, urging the newly-formed Lebanese cabinet to “fully cooperate” with the court.

“The end of the era of killings has begun…[and the martyrs’] blood will not go to waste,” Hariri said.

Hariri's comments after Lebanese officials said the STL, based near The Hague, submitted an indictment and arrest warrants to the country's prosecutor general in his father's case.

Members of the powerful Hezbollah are expected to be implicated in the killing.

-NOW Lebanon/AFP 

Now Lebanon - Arrest warrants issued in Hariri case, says judiciary - June 30, 2011

A UN tribunal probing the 2005 murder of Lebanese ex-Premier Rafik Hariri has issued arrest warrants against four Lebanese suspects in the case, a judicial official told AFP on Thursday.

The sealed warrants were submitted to Lebanon's prosecutor general Said Mirza on Thursday morning along with a copy of the indictment drafted by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, said the official who did not wish to be named.

The indictment has also not been made public.

Local media reports identified the four suspects and said at least two were members of the powerful Shia party Hezbollah.

According to experts, Lebanon has 30 days to serve out the arrest warrants.

If the suspects are not arrested within that period, the STL will then make public the indictment and summon the suspects to appear before the court.

The findings of the tribunal have been the subject of wide speculation in Lebanon and there is fear an indictment of members of Hezbollah could spark sectarian unrest.

-AFP/NOW Lebanon

Now Lebanon - Sunni ministers object to STL clause - June 30, 2011

Al-jadeed television reported that Sunni ministers in the new cabinet voiced hope during the cabinet session on Thursday that the words “in principle” would be removed from a clause concerning the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) in the pending ministerial statement. However, the cabinet did not respond to their call.
The aforementioned clause states that “the STL was formed in principle to serve justice.”
Following its June 13 formation, Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government tasked a committee comprised of 10 ministers representing the cabinet’s factions with drafting a ministerial statement.

The committee has been discussing how to tackle the issue of the STL’s indictment into the 2005 assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri, which Hezbollah has repeatedly warned will target the party.

Now Lebanon - Mikati: Cabinet to follow up with procedure following release of STL indictment - June 30, 2011

Following the release of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s indictment on Thursday, Prime Minister Najib Mikati addressed the Lebanese people and said that the cabinet will follow up with the stages and procedures that will come after the release of the indictment.

“We have to look after our country’s interest and end attempts to target [Lebanon] and use the indictment to cause strife.”

Mikati said the Lebanese people agreed when the tragedy of former PM Rafik Hariri’s assassination occurred, that the criminals and perpetrators responsible for the act must be punished, especially as there were also crimes that targeted other MPs and figures.

“The state has cooperated with the UN through the international investigation commission. Then the STL was established upon the Lebanese request to reveal the truth and [punish] the criminals without vengeance.”

The release of the STL indictment calls on us to adopt a wise approach, he also said, adding that “We have to be concerned about stability and finding the truth.”

“We have to responsibly and realistically deal with the [release of the STL’s indictment],” he also said, adding that the indictment is not a final verdict.

“Each accused person is innocent until proven guilty.”

The PM recalled Hariri’s statement that “no one is bigger than his country,” and added, “let us be worthy of maintaining Lebanon’s unity. Let us build the future and protect our unity together and prove to those who bet that the STL’s indictment will divide the Lebanese people that [they are wrong.]”

Earlier on Thursday, the STL submitted a sealed indictment and arrest warrants to Lebanon’s Prosecutor General Said Mirza, the opposition told AFP.