UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Monday that he would begin taking steps to create the international tribunal for suspects in the murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri and other political assassinations. Ban said decisions will be made on the location of the tribunal outside of Lebanon, and the appointment of judges and prosecutors. "Those are very complex, technical and administrative issues, which need the attention and support of all UN member states," Ban told reporters.
The UN Security Council last month voted to establish the tribunal despite objections from five of the 15 members, who said the court lacks the legal and political support to try those responsible for the murder of Hariri in February, 2005, and at least 16 other political assassinations since that year. "I hope that all leaders in the region would cooperate to bring security and peace to Lebanon, and every leader in every country has the responsibility to cooperate (with the tribunal)," Ban said.