A UN-appointed commission has arrived in Lebanon to join the investigation into the assassination of former prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri last week. The three-member team of Irish police officers led by deputy commissioner Peter Fitzgerald was met at Beirut airport on Thursday by foreign ministry officials and the UN spokesman in Lebanon, Nejib Friji. The team is due to "assist and cooperate" with Lebanese authorities and is expected to contact security and judicial officials in the country, according to sources close to the inquiry. After a weekly cabinet session on Thursday, Information Minister Elie Firzli reiterated a pledge that the "Lebanese judiciary authorities will not hesitate to assist, cooperate and coordinate" with the team. The UN team is made up of forensic, judicial and political experts. |