Obama reaffirms U.S. support for Hariri tribunal

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Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:54pm EST

(Adds Clinton, U.S. contribution, paragraphs 4-5)

WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday reaffirmed U.S. support for a United Nations tribunal that would try suspects in March for the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

In a statement marking Saturday's fourth anniversary of Hariri's assassination, Obama said the United States shared grief over Hariri's loss and "we also share our conviction that his sacrifice will not be in vain."

"The United States fully supports the special tribunal for Lebanon, whose work will begin in a few weeks, to bring those responsible for this horrific crime and those that followed to justice," Obama said.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States would pledge $6 million to help pay for the second year of the tribunal's operations, subject to congressional approval of the fiscal 2009 budget, in addition to $14 million already pledged.

"The United States and the international community stand with the people of Lebanon in marking this day of sorrow," Clinton said in a statement.

Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, who left office last month, also pushed for a thorough investigation of the killing of Hariri and 22 other people in a car bombing in Beirut.

Some anti-Syrian politicians have said Syria was behind the suicide bombing, but Damascus denies this. The assassination sparked a worldwide outcry that forced the withdrawal of Syrian troops that had been in Lebanon for nearly 30 years.

"As Lebanon prepares for parliamentary elections, the United States will continue to support Lebanon's sovereignty and independence, the legitimate institutions of the Lebanese state, and the Lebanese people," Obama said, referring to elections scheduled for June.

Lebanon has enjoyed eight months of relative calm after a deal last year defused a power struggle between a Sunni-led coalition and an alliance headed by the Shi'ite group Hezbollah spilled into armed conflict. (Reporting by Caren Bohan; Editing by David Storey)



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