Lebanese authorities have begun handing over files from their
investigation into the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri to
the U.N.-sponsored special tribunal in The Netherlands.
The
Lebanese investigating judge, Saqr Saqr, on Wednesday ordered the
transfer of the case in response to a formal request made last month by
the special court in The Hague.
The judge also ordered four
pro-Syrian generals arrested in connection with the probe to remain in
jail until the tribunal decides what to do with them.
Mr. Hariri and 22 others were killed in a truck bombing in Beirut in February of 2005.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon began its work at The Hague on March 1.
U.N. officials say they expect the tribunal to complete its work in three to five years.
Many
Lebanese blame Syria for the attack. Syria has denied responsibility.
But pressure from Lebanon and the United Nations led Syria to pull its
14,000 troops out of Lebanon less than three months after the
assassination.
Officials from Syria and Lebanon have said they will cooperate with the proceedings.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
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