World

'Network' killed Lebanon's Hariri - UN

by Rachel Nixon | March 28, 2008 at 11:19 am

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A UN commision into the death of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has said that a network of people were behind the killing. This is the 10th report into Hariri's death. The next stage is to identify the individuals involved.

No individuals were named, but the investigators said what it called the "Hariri Network" might also be behind other deadly attacks in Lebanon.

The ex-PM and 22 others died in a huge car bombing in Beirut in February 2005.

Past UN inquiries suggested that Syrian and Lebanese intelligence forces had played a role - which Syria denied.

The commission said the evidence indicated that the network existed before his assassination and carried out surveillance of the former prime minister.

It said at least part of the network continued to operate after Mr Hariri's killing.

Lebanon has been in crisis and without a president for months, amid a drawn-out power struggle between the pro- and anti-Syrian factions.