Interior Minister Marwan Charbel announced Friday that a meeting for all concerned security apparatuses will be held Saturday to coordinate search operations for the suspects charged by a U.N.-backed court in connection with the 2005 murder of ex-premier Rafik Hariri.
"We have to address this issue calmly and wisely to preserve the civil peace," Charbel told Agence France Presse.
Full StoryThe March 14 forces leaderships are planning to hold a large-scale meeting within a few days after the cabinet adopted a vague clause on the international tribunal in its policy statement, al-Liwaa daily reported Friday.
The newspaper said that the meeting will most likely take place at Beirut’s Bristol hotel.
Full StoryA day after the edginess that followed the announcement of the details of the indictment in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s murder case, the Lebanese people were on Friday pondering the next move of Lebanese authorities.
On Thursday, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon issued a long-awaited indictment and arrest warrants for the Feb. 2005 assassination of Hariri, with Hizbullah members reportedly among those named.
Full StoryProgressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat questioned on Friday the timing of the release of the indictment in the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, noting that it took place soon after the formation of the new government.
He said during a press conference at his Clemenceau residence: “The decision to release the indictment was political.”
Full StoryLebanese newspapers on Friday mirrored the deep political rift in the country after a U.N.-backed tribunal issued indictments in the 2005 assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri.
While dailies loyal to former Premier Saad Hariri hailed Thursday's indictment -- expected to implicate Hizbullah members in the case -- as a triumph of justice, those close to the Shiite group slammed it as another Israeli plot.
Full StoryFrance criticized leaked information in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s assassination case and urged the Lebanese cabinet to fully cooperate with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said Thursday that his country was “informed” that the Lebanese authorities received a copy of the indictment.
Full StoryThe United States said that an "important step toward justice" has been taken with Lebanon receiving an indictment and arrest warrants for the murder of ex-premier Rafik Hariri.
A high-ranking U.S. source told An Nahar newspaper on Friday that all eyes are on PM Najib Miqati who has to “preserve Lebanon’s honor during difficult times.”
Full StoryU.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has reiterated his “strong support” for the international tribunal, which has submitted to the Lebanese authorities a sealed indictment and arrest warrants in the case of ex-PM Rafik Hariri’s assassination.
The secretary general calls on “all states to support the independent judicial process, in particular by cooperating with the Special Tribunal in the execution of the indictment and arrest warrants," said a statement issued by his spokesperson on Thursday.
Full StorySpecial Tribunal for Lebanon Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen confirmed on June 28 an indictment relating to the 2005 assassination of Rafik Hariri and others, STL's press office announced in a statement.
"The indictment and accompanying arrest warrant(s) were transmitted to the Lebanese authorities on 30 June, 2011," the press office noted.
Full StoryPhalange Party leader Amin Gemayel stated on Thursday that the release of the indictment in the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri will pave the way for the beginning of international justice to take effect.
He said during a press conference after an extraordinary meeting for the Phalange Party: “There can be no partnership without the truth and no unity without the truth and no constitutional institutions without the truth.”
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