Christians urge calm in Hariri probe

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Lebanese citizens should wait for a tribunal to release its findings into the 2005 slaying of Rafik Hariri before considering action, a Christian leader said.

Lebanon is bracing for indictments, which may be released as early as this week, from the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The tribunal is investigating the 2005 assassination of Hariri, a former Lebanese prime minister, and Hezbollah is widely expected to be named in the panel's report.

Beirut's Greek Orthodox Bishop Elias Audi used his Christmas Day sermon during the weekend to call on his followers to show patience, Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper reports.

"Why don't we wait for the outcome of investigations calmly and patiently and resort to legal debate to resolve our dispute rather than resort to provocations that could spark fire?" he asked.

Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Burtros Sfeir told his congregation's members they should stand in solidarity during the tense period to preserve the unity of the country.

Hezbollah is reportedly linked to the assassination through cellphone records.

Leaders of the Shiite movement claim Israeli officials were connected to the Lebanese telecommunications sector, suggesting Israel may have played a role in the slaying.