Security Council OKs Hariri Tribunal

Lebanese legislator Saad Hariri, son of slain former Premier Rafik Hariri, speaks during a press conference at his house in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday Nov. 21, 2006. Hariri, leader of the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority, broke off a televised news conference after hearing that Pierre Gemayel had been shot. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) (Hussein Malla - AP)

Bolton and de La Sabliere reiterated Tuesday that the Lebanese government must decide on the tribunal and any constitutional questions.

"We think the government of Lebanon is committed to it," Bolton said. "All of the factions in Lebanon have said they want the tribunal. The negotiators were appointed by a meeting chaired by President Lahoud."

"It's a good agreement. ... We hope the government of Lebanon is able to follow through on their constitutional procedures and they'll make their decision," Bolton said.

The February 2005 truck bombing that killed Hariri and 22 others sparked huge protests against Syria, which was widely seen as culpable. Damascus denied involvement, but was forced to withdraw its troops from Lebanon after a 29-year presence. A U.N. investigation into Hariri's assassination has been broadened to include 14 other Lebanese political killings.

Asked whether he believed Syria was involved in Gemayel's assassination, Bolton said: "We need to find out all of the facts, but you can take a look at the pattern of who gets assassinated in Lebanon."

The first U.N. chief investigator, Germany's Detlev Mehlis, said the killing's complexity suggested the Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services both played a role in Hariri's assassination. In one report, Mehlis implicated Brig. Gen. Assaf Shawkat, Syria's military intelligence chief and the brother-in-law of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

His successor, Belgian Judge Serge Brammertz, has shied away naming anyone but has described it as a very complex operation.

Four Lebanese generals _ top pro-Syrian security chiefs under Lahoud including his presidential guard commander _ have been under arrest for 14 months, accused of involvement in Hariri's killing.