Le Figaro: France Provided Info to Bellemare Confirming Syrian Involvement in Hariri Murder

by Naharnet Newsdesk almost 13 years

Special Tribunal for Lebanon Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare’s amended indictment includes names of Syrian officials involved in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s Feb. 2005 assassination, said the French daily Le Figaro.

According to the article written by George Malbrunot, French intelligence agencies provided the STL with information about Syria’s involvement in the murder.

Earlier this month, Bellemare filed the amended indictment based on further evidence in the probe into the killing of Hariri. The indictment, which is being kept confidential, has to be examined by pre-trial judge Daniel Fransen, who has the responsibility of confirming it before arrest warrants or summonses are issued.

The prosecutor informed a high-ranking French diplomat that he is convinced the instigator is in Syria, said Le Figaro. The newspaper quoted the diplomat as saying that Bellemare told him several months ago that he would accuse members of Hizbullah but knows that the instigators are in Damascus.

“I will reach the ringleader if you provide me with the means to continue with my investigation,” the STL prosecutor reportedly told the diplomat. “I will reach the ringleader.”

“If we help him, he will definitely be able to make accusations against Syria,” the French official told Le Figaro.

If any Syrian official was accused of involvement in Hariri’s murder, it would be easy to impose U.N. Security Council sanctions against Syria, he said. The names of some suspects could most probably be among the 13-member list that the European Union has sanctioned.

“It will be clear within weeks whether the information provided by the French intelligence would lead Bellemare to Damascus in his search for Hariri’s killers,” said Malbrunot.

Comments 1

The Inner Circle (Guest) almost 13 years

French Intel should have always known then that Syria would have been involved. The last thing they need is to be blamed for the timing of their revelation.

An explanation needs to be clarified concerning certain parties "wanting" to put the blame on a Lebanese party, which seems to be highly unlikely to their historical, and long term plan and conduct; having an exception in their conduct would require scrutinizing evidence before any Lebanese will turn on himself.

That has been Lebanon's experience in the past, and is very very careful in marginalizing another Lebanese compatriot.