U.N. extends Lebanon tribunal’s mandate for three years

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon is to grant the Special Tribunal for Lebanon another three years to try those responsible for the 2005 murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

The tribunal, which was inaugurated in 2009, will continue its work until March 2018, said a U.N. statement on Friday.

Four Hezbollah members went on trial in absentia before the tribunal a year ago for the 2005 car bombing that killed billionaire Hariri and 22 others, including a suicide bomber.

A fifth suspect, also an alleged Hezbollah member, has been indicted over the crime.

Ban expressed U.N. support for the work of the tribunal based in The Hague.