Special Tribunal for Lebanon President Antonio Cassesse hoped that progress will be made before year's end in the investigation into the murder of ex-PM Rafik Hariri and related crimes, promising families of victims of political assassinations to identify the killers and "prove our professionalism."
In an interview with al-Arabiya satellite channel, Cassesse acknowledged that "investigators face difficulties in terrorist crimes."

He declined to predict on when the charge sheet into the Hariri attack and related crimes would be issued, saying this falls under the jurisdiction of the STL Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare.

Cassesse, however, expressed hope that progress will be made in the investigation before December 2010.

He denied any interference with the work of the court, nor with the work of Bellemare, stressing that "everyone should understand that court work takes (more) time."

"I have no doubt that we will uncover the truth and I'm sure we are getting at it," Cassesse told al-Arabiya.

"We will contribute to strengthening the Lebanese judiciary and reveal the truth based on the highest standards of justice," he added.

Addressing the families of victims of political assassinations, Cassesse said: 'They have to trust the work of the professional and highly skilled Tribunal. Justice is coming and we will identity the killers and prove our professionalism. "