[An Nahar] Former President of the Special Tribunal for Leb probing the liquidation of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri, Judge Antonio Cassese, has died on Friday after a long fight with cancer."He passed away peacefully at home in Florence last night," the STL said on Saturday.
Current President of the Tribunal Judge Sir David Baragwanath who succeeded Cassese after he stepped down as President of the Tribunal on October 9 said: "The tragedy of Nino's (Cassese) departure is beyond words."
"He was a leader whom it was stimulating and a privilege to serve... His vision, intellect, dynamism and courage changed attitudes, institutions and lives", said Baragwanath.
A statement from the STL said that "judge Cassese was one of the most distinguished figures in international justice... He also had a long career in academia."