Bellemare to Continue Probe After Release of Indictment 'This Month'

Special Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare will continue his investigation if new information on ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's murder appears after the release of the indictment, an informed source at the U.N. told As Safir daily.

The source said in remarks published Thursday that the announcement of the indictment should be preceded by several steps including the possibility of moving witnesses outside Lebanon to guarantee their safety.

Such steps could delay the initiation of the trial till end of 2011, he told As Safir.

The source confirmed that U.N. officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, were concerned that internal pressure could prevent the Lebanese government from responding to the indictment's request to arrest the suspects.

As Safir also quoted an informed-Western source as saying that Bellemare would issue his indictment this month although it would remain confidential until its adoption by the pre-trial judge.