Assad: Syrian involved in Hariri murder to be tried by local court

Syrian President Bashar Assad has reiterated that if any Syrian was found implicated in the assassination of Lebanon's ex-Premier Rafik Hariri, then he will be tried by a Syrian, not an international court.

Assad, in an interview with France 2 television station, said "anybody who has a hand in this case (Hariri's murder) would be considered a traitor by the Syrian law."

"This person will be tried by a Syrian court and his punishment will be greater than any sentence issued by another court," Assad said. "We won't give up our sovereignty," he added.

When asked about accusations of Syria's involvement in the Feb. 2005 assassination, the Syrian leader said: "No one can hurl accusations without any evidence, be it President (Jacques) Chirac or any other person." Those who "want to accuse Syria have to present evidence," he stressed.

Assad also said French President Jacques Chirac's desire to "isolate Syria" hasn't led to "positive results."