Daily Star - Hariri, Ban discuss ways to speed up international tribunal, October 09, 2007
Leader of the parliamentary majority MP Saad Hariri was expected in New York on Monday evening for talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on ways to expedite the formation of the international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. In addition to the tribunal and the looming presidential election, Hariri's talks are also expected to center on ways to implement other international resolutions affecting Lebanon. LBCI television reported on Monday that Hariri expressed optimism about the large-scale Christian meeting in Bkirki expected later this week. In an unprecedented event, the Phalange, the National Liberal Party, the Lebanese Forces, the Free Patriotic Movement, the National bloc, the Marada Party, the Qornet Shahwan Gathering and other Christian factions will meet at Bkirki this Thursday. When The Daily Star went to print, Hariri was still meeting with some of Ban's advisers to figure out ways to speed up the establishment of the special court for Lebanon. In addition to Ban, Hariri is also expected to meet with UN representatives of the five permanent Security Council members as well as UN Special Envoy to Lebanon Terje Roed Larsen. UN Security Council Resolution 1757 to establish a mixed Lebanese-international court to try suspects in the February 2005 Hariri assassination was passed on May 30, after Lebanon's divided political parties failed to agree on prosecuting suspects in its territory.
Hariri was killed in February 2005 by a massive suicide car bombing in Downtown Beirut that also killed 22 other people. No one has been arrested, but many people in Lebanon accuse Syria of responsibility, a charge that Damascus denies. The Higher Judicial Council nominated 12 Lebanese magistrates in June to serve on the international court. Ban will select four out of the twelve nominated judges to serve on the court. One Lebanese judge will serve in the tribunal's trial chamber, along with two international judges, while two Lebanese judges will serve in the appeals chamber with three international judges. The deputy prosecutor at the court will be Lebanese and will be appointed by the Lebanese government in collaboration with the UN.
Ban said in a report to the Security Council earlier in September that he hoped to appoint judges to the court by the end of the year. He also is expected to choose a prosecutor and someone to organize a defense team. Ban said the tribunal would not be established until the UN had an estimated $35 million to fund its operations through the first year, as well as an additional $85 million in pledges to pay for the following two years. Lebanon is expected to be billed for 49 percent of the tribunal's costs.
Leader of the parliamentary majority MP Saad Hariri was expected in New York on Monday evening for talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on ways to expedite the formation of the international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. In addition to the tribunal and the looming presidential election, Hariri's talks are also expected to center on ways to implement other international resolutions affecting Lebanon. LBCI television reported on Monday that Hariri expressed optimism about the large-scale Christian meeting in Bkirki expected later this week. In an unprecedented event, the Phalange, the National Liberal Party, the Lebanese Forces, the Free Patriotic Movement, the National bloc, the Marada Party, the Qornet Shahwan Gathering and other Christian factions will meet at Bkirki this Thursday. When The Daily Star went to print, Hariri was still meeting with some of Ban's advisers to figure out ways to speed up the establishment of the special court for Lebanon. In addition to Ban, Hariri is also expected to meet with UN representatives of the five permanent Security Council members as well as UN Special Envoy to Lebanon Terje Roed Larsen. UN Security Council Resolution 1757 to establish a mixed Lebanese-international court to try suspects in the February 2005 Hariri assassination was passed on May 30, after Lebanon's divided political parties failed to agree on prosecuting suspects in its territory.
Hariri was killed in February 2005 by a massive suicide car bombing in Downtown Beirut that also killed 22 other people. No one has been arrested, but many people in Lebanon accuse Syria of responsibility, a charge that Damascus denies. The Higher Judicial Council nominated 12 Lebanese magistrates in June to serve on the international court. Ban will select four out of the twelve nominated judges to serve on the court. One Lebanese judge will serve in the tribunal's trial chamber, along with two international judges, while two Lebanese judges will serve in the appeals chamber with three international judges. The deputy prosecutor at the court will be Lebanese and will be appointed by the Lebanese government in collaboration with the UN.
Ban said in a report to the Security Council earlier in September that he hoped to appoint judges to the court by the end of the year. He also is expected to choose a prosecutor and someone to organize a defense team. Ban said the tribunal would not be established until the UN had an estimated $35 million to fund its operations through the first year, as well as an additional $85 million in pledges to pay for the following two years. Lebanon is expected to be billed for 49 percent of the tribunal's costs.
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