Source: Hezbollah won't rise up

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Hezbollah isn't expected to take to the streets of Lebanon if a U.N.-backed tribunal fingers the group in the slaying of a Lebanese leader, sources say.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon may issue indictments against Shiite resistance movement Hezbollah for its alleged role in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri as early as this year.

Hariri was killed in a 2005 bombing along with more than a dozen others. The STL last week said it carried out a controlled explosion as part of its investigation into the attack.

Hezbollah is widely believed to have played a role in the slaying, though its leaders said they have evidence to link Israel to the plot.

Hezbollah sources speaking with London's pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat on condition of anonymity said if an indictment comes down, "we will try to avoid tension and inciting the street because such tension is not in our interests."

Other figures said the group would refuse to hand over any of its supporters to the tribunal and would work "to drain the tribunal of power."

Hezbollah charges the tribunal is part of a broad Israeli plot meant to eradicate its influence in Lebanon.