Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri said Tuesday he was confident that his father’s assassins would be brought to justice, and that following the hearings, he would not allow his personal feelings to mix with his politics in his capacity as a public servant.
Hariri spoke with reporters after the opening session of the final hearings at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, held in the Netherlands, which is investigating the 2005 bombing that killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others.
During the opening hearing Monday morning, the prosecution, led by Norman Farrell, summarized its case against four Hezbollah-affiliated individuals for their roles in orchestrating the 2005 bombing.
"Those who committed this crime will sooner or later, Inshallah [God willing], pay the price," Hariri said.
Asked whether the STL’s verdict will affect Hariri's role as premier-designate, as Hezbollah plays an active role in the government, Hariri said he will not let personal matters interfere in his duties.
"If someone is in the position I’m in, they will put their emotions aside," Hariri said. "We are living together, and will cohabitate for the interest of the country."
Hariri thanked "everyone who has worked on the case," adding that while many assassinations had occurred in Lebanon, "the truth had never been revealed."
The premier-designate said a verdict will be issued within months following the end of the 10-day sessions.
Earlier in the day, Hariri had released a statement on social media, saying, "We are holding on to the truth, to know who is behind the assassination of Rafik Hariri and all the martyrs who fell defending Lebanon. With justice, the killer will be handed his punishment."
Hariri arrived in the Netherlands Monday in preparation for the prosecution’s closing arguments. He is accompanied by caretaker Education Minister Marwan Hamadeh and caretaker Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
