Hariri prosecutor meets justice minister

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The lead prosecutor of the U.N.-backed probe into the 2005 assassination of a former Lebanese premier met with the country's justice minister in Beirut.

Daniel Bellemare, the Canadian chief prosecutor for an independent tribunal investigating the assassination of Rafik Hariri, arrived in Beirut this week for a seven-day visit with top government officials.

The prosecutor met earlier with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and other top government officials, saying the investigation was proceeding "at full pace."

Following meetings with Lebanese Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar from the ruling March 14 alliance, Bellemare's office issued a statement saying the probe was moving forward with integrity.

"He emphasized that the process he is leading is purely evidence-driven and that the people of Lebanon deserve nothing less than an outcome that cannot be overcast with doubts about the credibility and the integrity of the justice rendered by the tribunal," the statement read.

Hariri and 22 others were killed in a massive bombing in downtown Beirut in February 2005. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon at The Hague, Netherlands, was formed when a U.N. investigation found Lebanese proceedings were flawed and Syria, which was blamed for the assassination, was complicating the investigation.

Bellemare's office stressed his visit is not indicative of any breakthrough in the case as Lebanon moves forward with a new government.