March 25, 2009 - Naharnet - Hariri Maintains Wait-and-See Attitude on Court Ruling

Mustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri said he has confidence in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, stressing that he will maintain a wait-and-see attitude and will accept whatever decision comes out of the tribunal.

"Today we have a tribunal. This tribunal will take its course. I have full confidence in the tribunal and the work that it is doing," Hariri said in comments following the appointment of Italian Judge Antonio Cassesse as Court President and the adoption of a set of procedural rules.

"I will accept any decision that comes out because we fought for it," Hariri said, pointing to the end of the climate of impunity prevailing in the international community.

"No matter how long it takes, we should wait for it and eventually accept whatever decision comes out of the tribunal," he added.

Hariri's father ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and 22 other people were killed in a massive bombing on Feb. 14, 2005. Many Lebanese blamed Hariri's assassination on Syria. Damascus has denied the charge.

"We certainly said we believe it is the Syrians that have committed this assassination but this tribunal is going to decide and say who committed this crime," Hariri said, adding that he will wait for the court's ruling "and we will see if we were right or not."

He said he was not worried by the detente between Europe and Syrian President Bashar Assad last year "because the international tribunal into the murder of my father was on course and I am confident justice would prevail."

On Arab reconciliation, Hariri said dialogue and unity among Arab states would be "extremely good" for Lebanon. "They would only bring stability for Lebanon."

He said Lebanon needs this stability in the run-up to elections.

Hariri praised U.S. President Barack Obama's engagement in the region.

He said Obama's vision for the Middle East and his engagement with allies and enemies alike show "goodwill" and may eventually lead to peace in the region.

Hariri also lauded Obama's overture to Iran. The U.S. president has offered a new beginning and dialogue with Tehran based on mutual respect.

"We have to see where all this goes," he said, adding that he believed "people" need to talk to Iran.

"Dialogue is always good. I hope there will be a positive outcome from this dialogue," he concluded.