For some Lebanese, UN tribunal's Hariri ruling is not enough

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The son of Lebanon's slain former premier Rafik al-Hariri vowed he would not rest until the killers are punished after a UN-backed court on Tuesday convicted a member of Hezbollah for his death.

In central Beirut, his son Saad al-Hariri said he would not rest until justice had been served.

"We tell everybody: nobody (should) expect any more sacrifices from us. We have sacrificed what is dearest to us ... Hezbollah is the one that should make sacrifices today," he said.

"It has become clear that the executing network is from within (Hezbollah's) ranks. They think that justice will not reach them and that the punishment will not be served on them. I repeat: we will not rest until punishment is served."

Some Lebanese, including victims of the attack who waited 15 years for a verdict, voiced disbelief at the acquittal of three other Hezbollah members. The tribunal also said it found no evidence of involvement by Hezbollah's leadership or by Damascus.

"I am shocked. Instead of the network (of culprits) expanding, it is now one superman who has done all of that?" said Sanaa al Sheikh, who was wounded in the 2005 bomb blast on Beirut's waterfront that killed Hariri and 21 others.

She added that she had never expected such an outcome.

"They should pay us back the money they got," said Mahmoud, speaking from Beirut. The trial cost roughly $1 billion.

Hezbollah made no immediate comment on the ruling, but it has denied any involvement in the killing. 

The sentencing of Salim Jamil Ayyash, who was convicted while being tried in absentia for playing a central role in the execution of the attack, will be carried out later. He could face life imprisonment.

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