Indictment Technically Ready, Expected to be Distributed on March 7

Lebanon is expecting the arrival of a technical delegation from the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that is scheduled to meet with President Michel Suleiman and Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri to place the finishing touches to the phase preceding the finalization of the indictment in the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Informed sources in the STL's functioning told the Central News Agency on Monday that Pre-trial Judge Daniel Fransen and Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare have completed their work sessions to come up with the indictment's final draft.

The suspects will be informed of the indictment through the official Lebanese authorities, "meaning that there is no way that it will remain secret seeing as the accused will likely reveal to the media the charges against them."

They predicted that the indictment is likely to be distributed on March 7 in two or three phases, adding that up to 24 suspects may be included in it.