February 13, 2010 - Naharnet - Obama Stresses to Hariri Support for International Tribunal

U.S. President Barack Obama Friday told Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri that he strongly supports bringing to justice the killers of his father, ex-premier Rafik Hariri, the White House said.
Obama gave the assurance in a telephone call, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, adding the president also emphasized U.S. support for Lebanon's "sovereignty and independence."

The call came as Lebanon gears up to mark the fifth anniversary of Hariri's assassination, but also as the United States gets ready to name a new ambassador to Syria.

The previous administration of President George Bush recalled the U.S. ambassador from Damascus and put relations with Syria on hold in 2005, following Hariri's killing.

His death in a massive bomb blast on the Beirut seafront in February of that year was widely blamed on Syria although Damascus has denied any involvement.

"The president said the American people admire and appreciate the prime minister's commitment to carrying on his father's work," Gibbs said in a statement.

"The president and prime minister agreed on the importance of supporting the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to bring those responsible for this terrible crime to justice."

An international tribunal based in The Hague was set up by a U.N. Security Council resolution in 2007 to try suspects in the murder.

A U.N. commission of inquiry initially said it had found evidence to implicate Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services but there are no suspects in custody.

The Obama administration has already picked its first ambassador to Syria in five years amid a drive to engage Damascus as part of efforts to promote Arab-Israeli peace.

U.S. officials have said they were waiting to find out whether Syria has accepted the unnamed nominee.(AFP)