CTVNEWS

Canadian prosecutor in Hariri case to step down

The Associated Press Published Wednesday, December 14, 2011 2:37PM EST

Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare of Canada looks up in the court room of the Hariri tribunal in Leidschendam, Netherlands, Monday Feb. 7, 2011. (AP /Valerie Kuypers)

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AMSTERDAM - The Canadian prosecutor of the special court investigating the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri is leaving his office.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon says Daniel Bellemare has informed United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that he is not seeking a renewal when his term expires in February for health reasons.

Bellemare has led the investigation that has indicted four members of the Hezbollah militia for the 2005 truck bomb that killed Hariri and 22 others, including the suicide bomber. Hezbollah denies involvement.

The court is based in the Dutch town of Leidschendam near The Hague.

Bellemare said in statement Wednesday that while there's a long way before the case is resolved, "solid foundations have been laid to achieve justice."