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10 cleared in Aussie bomb probe
THE Australian Federal Police (AFP) has cleared 10 men it was investigating as part of its inquiries into the Beirut bombing that killed former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri this week. Lebanon's Justice Minister Adnan Addoum yesterday said authorities had contacted Interpol in Sydney over the departure from Beirut to Australia of 12 men on the day of the bombing that killed Mr Hariri and 16 others. Mr Addoum said the 12 were among 14 men with Australian citizenship who tried to leave Lebanon, but two missed the flight for unknown reasons.AFP spokesman Kirk Cunningham said late last night the AFP had conducted the investigations on behalf of Interpol. He said 10 men had been interviewed after they arrived in Sydney on Thursday night, and that all had been cleared of any part in the bombing. He said the AFP was initially alerted that a total of 12 men - and not 14 as reported by Mr Addoum - were under suspicion. Only 10 of the men had arrived in Australia. He could not confirm reports that the men were Australian citizens, but said he believed they had been visiting Lebanon at the time of the bombing. Mr Addoum also said some of the suspects left traces of explosives on aircraft seats. But Mr Cunningham said while sniffer dogs had at first picked up suspicious scents in the aircraft seats occupied by the men, forensic tests had proved negative. Earlier last night, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said the minister had had no contact with Lebanon over the allegations. Reports earlier this week said Australian authorities were helping Lebanon investigate the murder. No credible claims of responsibility have emerged for the bombing, but Lebanon's interior minister has said a suicide bomber backed by "international parties" may have killed Mr Hariri. Some also suggest rogue Syrian intelligence operatives or factions among Lebanon's different religious groups may be responsible. Lebanon's Syrian-backed regime is facing escalating calls to stand down over the death, and Washington has issued stark warnings to Damascus about its role in Lebanon. Posted by: God Save The World 2005-02-18 |
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