UN Votes to Set Up Hariri Tribunal

The UN security council voted last night to create a special tribunal into the 2005 assassination of the Lebanese prime minister, Rafiq Hariri.

Syria instantly warned the decision "could cause the situation to become worse" in Lebanon, where a recent spate of bombings in Beirut have aggravated concerns over security prompted by a stand-off between the army and Islamist militants in a refugee camp.

The tribunal could begin hearing cases within the year. Two UN prosecutors have spent months gathering the evidence necessary to bring suspects to trial.

It has not yet been agreed whether the tribunal will meet in Lebanon or outside. Senior Syrian intelligence officers are the main suspects.

Ten security council members voted in favor, with five - China, Russia, Qatar, South Africa and Indonesia - abstaining.

The US ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, said: "By adopting this resolution, the council has demonstrated its commitment to the principle that there should be no impunity for political assassination, in Lebanon or elsewhere."

Syria's ambassador, Bashar Ja'afari, said: "Definitely this is something that goes against the interests of ... Lebanon."

In Beirut about 200 supporters of Hariri gathered in the streets to celebrate.