Dubai: The United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission, (UNIIIC) had issued its first report to the UN Security Council on October 19, 2005.

The report by Detlev Mehlis, head of the investigators, had pointed out Syria's involvement in perpetrating the crime.

Mehlis had later resigned following genuine criticism of his performance and the way he was collecting evidence for the commission.

He was replaced by Daniel Belemare, who submitted the closing report of the commission, the tenth to be issued by the investigators, in April 2008.

Three years after the Hariri assassination, the UNIIIC's mandate ended on February 28, 2009, and it was superseded by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on March 1, 2009.

The establishment of the tribunal started in December 13, 2005 when the Government of Lebanon urged the United Nations to establish a tribunal of an international character to try the suspected criminals for the assassination of Hariri and 22 others.

In 2006, the Security Council issued resolution 1664 that established the agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Lebanon for the formation of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Statute

On May 30, 2007, another Security Council resolution, 1757, was issued to define the Statute of the Special Tribunal. The tribunal came into force on 10 June 2007.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is to prosecute persons responsible for the attack of 14 February 2005 resulting in the death of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and in the death or injury of other persons. The Tribunal's jurisdiction could be extended beyond February 14, 2005

The applicable law for the Special Tribunal is the Lebanese Criminal Code relating to the prosecution and punishment of acts of terrorism and crimes and offences against life and personal integrity, among others with the exclusion of penalties such as the death penalty and forced labour, which are otherwise applicable under Lebanese law.

The Special Tribunal has the power to impose penalties up to and including life imprisonment. Sentences will be served in a State designated by the President of the Special Tribunal from a list of willing states.