UN tribunal sets off controlled explosion at French military base as part of Hariri probe

Associated Press ^ | 10/19/10

[Dave346]

LEIDSCHENDAM, Netherlands — A U.N. tribunal carried out a controlled explosion Tuesday at a French military base as part of its investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon said in a statement that the explosion at the Captieux military base in southwest France was watched by a team of international experts who will carry out forensic tests.

The court said their results will form part of the investigation, but said Tuesday's blast was not intended to replicate the truck bombing that killed Hariri and 22 other people on Beirut's Mediterranean waterfront on Feb. 14, 2005.

[jhpigott]

This story has been flying under the radar. Keep a close eye on Lebanon. If the STL indicts members of Hezbollah for the 2005 Hariri assassination they could bring down the current Hariri’s governement.

Also heard a number of Hezbollah coup rumors as well as reports that guns sales are way up in anticipation of violence returning to the streets of Beirut and greater Lebanon.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Dave346.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon said in a statement that the explosion at the Captieux military base in southwest France was watched by a team of international experts who will carry out forensic tests... Tuesday's blast was not intended to replicate the truck bombing that killed Hariri and 22 other people on Beirut's Mediterranean waterfront on Feb. 14, 2005.

[Dave346]

Seems like the tribunal is finally moving again. It’s been 5 years now with a lot of delays and hedging on who will actually be held accountable.

[Dave346]

Of course regardless of what the spokesman says, this WAS intended to be a replication of the explosion that killed Hariri.