U.N. Security Council Set to Approve Hariri Tribunal

The United Nations Security Council is set to approve the establishment of an international tribunal to try those responsible for the murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Al-Hariri. Establishment under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter will make the findings of the tribunal binding on U.N. members. Non-permanent members Qatar, South Africa and Indonesia will vote against the resolution, but permanent members with veto power – China and Russia – will only abstain. Hariri was among 23 killed in a car bombing in February 2005, which is widely believed to have been the work of the Syrian government. At least 16 others who have spoken against Syria have been killed since. Pro-Syrian elements in Lebanon have fought against the establishment of a tribunal.