英语文摘：News Analysis: Hariri's indictment hints political unrest in Lebanon

BEIRUT, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's recent political tranquillity cannot cover up the escalating dispute between the government and its opponents, which hints a fear of sectarian violence as all parties involved are waiting for the Special Tribunal's indictment to be released.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri's admitted early this month that it was a mistake to accuse Syria of a massive bombing in 2005 that killed his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which could not stop the growing tension as the armed Shiite group Hezbollah threatens to take to the streets.

HARIRI'S ROAD TO DAMASCUS AVOIDS HEZBOLLAH

Saad Hariri accused Syria of killing his father in an explosion in Feb. 2005 that also killed 22 others in Beirut. But five years after the assassination, the Lebanese prime minister visited Syria and met with Syrian president Bashar Al Assad, a person he once thought killed his father.

Hariri admitted last week in remarks published in a Saudi newspaper that the accusation against Syria was wrong.

This sort of political apology suggests that Syria's influence in Lebanon, which was minimized after the Syrian army withdrawal from Lebanese territories following Rafik Hariri's assassination, is regaining ground.

The remarks helps ease tensions between Syria's local allies and foes. But what Hariri did not say about the possible international indictment of Hezbollah, sparked questions about Hariri's acceptance of such indictment.

"We are still waiting for more steps to be taken", a source close to the Shiite group told Xinhua on condition of anonymity, " more should be done to overcome the looming dangers."

Hezbollah welcomed Hariri's remarks, but also asked him about the "rest of the file", referring to the party's stance regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).

HEZBOLLAH'S "WAR" AGAINST "FALSE WITNESSES"

Chief of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah said last month that Saad Hariri confirmed to him that the international tribunal would indict Hezbollah members in the assassination. The indictment is likely to be issued this fall, according to the tribunal chief Antonio Cassese.

Nasrallah said in March that 12 Hezbollah members and persons close to the group were summoned by the STL, while he confirmed that the group would cooperate with the investigation.

But Hezbollah stressed that it would face this indictment in every possible way, sparking fears of a possible new round of violence similar to the one that killed nearly 70 people in May 2008.

Hezbollah's strategy consists of accusing the STL of being politicized, mainly focusing on the court's refusal to investigate a possible Israeli role into the crime, and also on what it calls "false witnesses" in the assassination.

Lebanese cabinet lately tasked a minister to deal with the issue of the STL's false witnesses that were found with no credibility by the international court.