Lebanon marks al-Hariri murder
Pro-government rally follows death of three people in bomb attacks on two buses.
Syria accused
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“Even with the entire world on his side, Siniora will lose if he hasn’t got the Lebanese on his side” |
Syria has repeatedly denied involvement in the assassination, which triggered international pressure that forced Damascus to withdraw thousands of troops from Lebanon in 2005, ending years of Syrian domination.
Al-Hariri said he wanted the anniversary to be “an occasion for the Lebanese to emphasise their adherence to the truth” and call for an international court to try suspects in the killing.
“Not going out is bending to fear, giving in to what they want to do to us,” he told LBC television.
Tribunal approved
The UN Security Council and the Lebanese government have approved plans for the court but Lebanon’s pro-Syrian president has not ratified the deal and Nabih Berri, the parliament speaker and leader of the opposition Amal party, has refused to call the chamber to vote on the plan.
Opposition leaders dispute the legitimacy of the government and say they support the idea of the tribunal but want to discuss its mandate to make sure it is not used against them.
Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, has apologised for his decision not to attend Wednesday’s commemoration.