U.N. Council Backs Tribunal For Lebanon

Hariri's son Saad marked the vote by visiting his father's grave in downtown Beirut. "We're asking for justice, not for revenge," Saad Hariri, now the leader of his father's political movement, said in a televised speech, his eyes red and his voice trembling. Siniora said the vote should not be taken as a challenge to Syria. "We are asking for justice, and nothing more," he said.

Wednesday's vote is likely to receive an angry reaction from an array of pro-Syrian forces, including Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and the Hezbollah militia, that maintain that the United Nations and Siniora's government lacks legitimacy to approve the court.

Lebanon and the United Nations agreed last November on a statute for a "mixed" court stationed outside of Lebanon and staffed by international and Lebanese prosecutors and judges. The court would be financed by Lebanese and international funds, though the United Nations and Lebanon have not yet agreed on a location for the trial.

Most of Lebanon's legislators are prepared to approve the statute, but the country's pro-Syrian parliamentary speaker, Nabih Berri, has refused to convene a session of parliament to allow a vote.

In an effort to break the impasse, Siniora issued a direct appeal to the Security Council to establish the court, accusing Berri of thwarting the will of the Lebanese parliament.

The new tribunal is modeled on U.N. criminal courts established to try war criminals in Cambodia and Sierra Leone. But it will function according to Lebanese criminal law, and it will not be able to try suspects for crimes against humanity or other international war crimes.

The court will also have jurisdiction over at least 14 other political attacks against anti-Syrian journalists, scholars and politicians since October 2004. Serge Brammertz, a U.N. investigator, maintains that many of those attacks may be part of a broader political conspiracy linked to Hariri's death.

Syria's critics have expressed hopes the tribunal would lead to Assad's downfall. But observers across the political spectrum say bombings and other violence will increase in Lebanon as the tribunal goes forward. "Security in Lebanon will be in danger," warned Imad Faizi Sheubi, an analyst with the Center of Data and Strategic Studies in Damascus, which is seen as reflecting the Syrian government's position.

In Tripoli, Lebanon, a Sunni cleric put it more bluntly. "I believe [Syria has] the ability not only to stop the tribunal, but to destroy all of Lebanon," said Sheik Bilal Baroudi.

Knickmeyer reported from Tripoli, Lebanon. Special correspondent Alia Ibrahim in Beirut contributed to this report.