Irish finish investigation into former Lebanese Prime Minister’s death

THE Irish-led UN fact-finding team has finished its probe into the killing of Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and will report its findings to Secretary-General Kofi Annan soon.

A statement from the presidential palace said the head of the team, Irish Deputy Police Commissioner Peter Fitzgerald, told President Emile Lahoud at a meeting that his job was completed.

It said Mr Fitzgerald thanked Lahoud for the co-operation of the Lebanese authorities investigating the February 14 assassination of Mr Hariri in a bomb attack in Beirut.

The UN Security Council, angered by Mr Hariri’s death, had asked Mr Annan last month to report on “the circumstances, causes and consequences of the assassination.”

Lebanon’s opposition and many ordinary Lebanese have pointed a finger at Syria.

The anti-Syrian opposition have demanded an international investigation into the killing, saying they do not trust pro-Syrian Lebanese security chiefs.

Syria and Lebanese officials have denied any role.