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Hariri's son hails U.N. court move, urges unity
BEIRUT (Reuters) - The son of slain former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri on Wednesday hailed a U.N. resolution setting up a special court to prosecute suspects in his father's 2005 assassination.
"This is a victory for oppressed Lebanon," Saad al-Hariri, who is also leader of the Lebanese parliament's ruling majority, said in a televised address shortly after the Security Council passed the resolution.
"It is the moment of arriving at the gateway of justice," he said, choking with tears.
Hariri said the Security Council move, opposed by Lebanon's pro-Syrian opposition leaders, was "salvation from the long criminal series of terrorism".
The Security Council passed the court after rival Lebanese leaders failed to agree on approving it in parliament.
Hariri said it was now time to put aside political differences. "I extend my hand to our partners in the nation, to say to them: Take the extended hand, we've had enough of division," he said. "We, from our side, God willing, will translate this statement into real actions."
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, a Hariri ally, said the move was a victory for Lebanon and that any trial would not be used as a political tool against neighboring Syria.
"The establishment of the tribunal is not directed against any country, and specifically not against sisterly Syria," he said in a separate address. "We are against politicization in any form."
Hariri's coalition says Syria was behind the killing of Hariri and 22 other people in a suicide truck bombing in Beirut in February 2005. Damascus denies any links to the killing.
International and domestic outcry forced Syria to end 29 years of military presence in Lebanon after the Hariri assassination.
Supporters in mainly Sunni Muslim areas of Beirut went to the streets to celebrate the resolution as fireworks lit the night sky and candles lit the streets. Some supporters fired assault rifles into the air.
A stun grenade exploded at about the same time near a church in a Beirut suburb, causing no casualties or damage.
