Int´s court prosecuting Hariri suspects opens

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 03-02-2009 09:32

An international tribunal to prosecute suspects in the slaying of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has opened in the Netherlands.

The tribunal opened on Sunday with a pledge to impartially investigate the politically charged case.

Patricia O'Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs at the United Nations, attends the opening  ceremony of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in  Leidschendam March 1, 2009.REUTERS/Michael Kooren

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Patricia O'Brien, said the establishment of the tribunal aims to send a strong signal that such assassinations will not be tolerated.

Four pro-Syrian generals are being held in Lebanese custody, although none of them have been formally charged with Hariri's murder.

A court prosecutor said he expects to ask Lebanon to transfer the suspects to the court within weeks. Hariri and 22 others were killed in a suicide bombing in Beirut more than four years ago.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei