Judicial Source: Attack on Judges” Vehicles is a Message to Tribunal
A judicial source said the attack on the cars of two senior judges in Beirut”s Badaro neighborhood was a message to the Lebanese judiciary as the international tribunal began operating.
"This attack is a message to the Lebanese judiciary upon the launching of the international tribunal in The Hague," the source told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in remarks published Friday.
Lebanese authorities are investigating the shooting incident that targeted the cars of magistrates Talal Baydoun and Mirna Wanssa.
Prime Minister Fouad Saniora called for "intensified" investigations into "this unacceptable attack." He described it as "an attempt to undermine the state and its organs and will not be dealt with lightly."
Speaker Nabih Berri condemned the shooting as "an attempt to destroy Lebanon through targeting judges."
Echoing Berri”s comments, Interior Minister Ziad Baroud told reporters: "We absolutely reject any attempt to target the judiciary, and hope that the results of the investigation can be reached soon and made public."
Asked whether the shooting can be linked to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Baroud said he preferred "not to forestall the investigations." He pointed out that Lebanese judges were victims of violence long before the launching of the tribunal.