SG/SM/10321
26 January 2006

UN Legal Counsel to Travel to Lebanon for Discussions Concerning Rafik Hariri Investigation

NEW YORK, 25 January (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has requested the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Nicolas Michel, to travel to Beirut this week.  Mr. Michel will meet with Lebanese officials to discuss the process for helping the Lebanese authorities to identify the nature and scope of the international assistance needed for those charged with the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and others to be tried by a tribunal of an international character in keeping with resolution 1644 (2005).

* *** *