February 15, 2010 - Naharnet - Le Monde: Revelations about Hizbullah's Involvement in Hariri's Murder Credible

The French newspaper Le Monde said that revelations published by the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel about Hizbullah's involvement in the 2005 assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri were "trustworthy."
It said that primary conclusions of the investigation since 2005 pointed a finger at Syria. Damascus, however, hailed as a "victory" the release in April of four Lebanese generals who were held for nearly four years without charges over Hairiri's murder.

Their release was not due to errors in the conclusions of the probe, but due to the methods adopted by initial investigators -- witnesses making questionable statements, unprofessionally gathered forensic evidence which cannot be used before a court.

But, despite those mistakes which accompanied the investigation, the probe is progressing, Le Monde wrote, adding that the cellular phone network used by the perpetrators had been pinned down.

It quoted sources as saying that the network pointed to the involvement of Hizbullah officials in Hariri's assassination.

"This confirms a May 2009 report by Der Spiegel which accused Hizbullah operatives," Le Monde added.

Hizbullah's Nawaf Moussawi dismissed Le Monde's report.

Der Spiegel has said a U.N.-backed tribunal investigating Hariri's murder has obtained new evidence proving Hizbullah was behind his assassination.

Hizbullah had described Der Spiegal's report as "fabricated lies" and a cheap attempt at influencing the June 7 parliamentary elections.