US
        

Top News

Obama welcomes indictment in Hariri case

Updated: 2011-01-18 11:04

(Xinhua)

Twitter Facebook Myspace Yahoo! Linkedin Mixx

WASHINGTON -- US President Barack Obama said on Monday that he welcomes the first indictment relating to the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon must be allowed to continue its work.

"This action represents an important step toward ending the era of impunity for murder in Lebanon and achieving justice for the Lebanese people," Obama said in a statement. "I know that this is a significant and emotional time for the Lebanese people, and we join the international community in calling on all Lebanese leaders and factions to preserve calm and exercise restraint."

Related readings:
Obama welcomes indictment in Hariri case Hezbollah, allies defeat cabinet of Lebanese govt
Obama welcomes indictment in Hariri case Lebanese gov't collapses after 11 ministers resigns
Obama welcomes indictment in Hariri case Israeli, Lebanese forces clash on border
Obama welcomes indictment in Hariri case Lebanese artist fights for right to sing

"The United States is a strong friend of Lebanon and we stand steadfastly with others in support of Lebanese sovereignty, independence, and stability," he added.

The Lebanese coalition government headed by Saad Hariri, Rafik Hariri's son, collapsed last Wednesday after ministers allied with Hezbollah quit over the expected indictment of members of the Shiite militant group.

But the contents of the indictment filed by the Office of the Prosecutor for the tribunal on Monday were not revealed. The UN-backed tribunal was established to probe the death of Rafiq Hariri and 22 others in a truck bombing in Beirut in 2005, which has been rejected by Hezbollah as a conspiracy by Israel and the United States.

"The Special Tribunal for Lebanon must be allowed to continue its work, free from interference and coercion," Obama said. "That is the way to advance the search for the truth, the cause of justice and the future of Lebanon.

He warned that any attempt to fuel tensions and instability, in Lebanon or in the region, will only "undermine the very freedom and aspirations that the Lebanese people seek and that so many nations support."

Specials

President Hu visits the US

President Hu Jintao is on a state visit to the US from Jan 18 to 21.

Ancient life

The discovery of the fossile of a female pterosaur nicknamed as Mrs T and her un-laid egg are shedding new light on ancient mysteries.

Economic Figures

China's GDP growth jumped 10.3 percent year-on-year in 2010, boosted by a faster-than-expected 9.8 percent expansion in the fourth quarter.

2011 postgraduate entrance exam
Pet businesses
Critics call for fraud case to be reopened