Scope of investigation becoming clearer

How big is the scope of the investigation into Hariri's assassination going to be? How many people were involved in the operation? How many people will be tried and sent to prison? All these questions haunt us in some way because we know that the answers are inextricably linked to the credibility of the entire investigation.

Well, one hour ago, the Associated Press published an article written by Bassem Mroue which asserted that prosecutors have requested from the Central Bank to lift bank secrecy laws from the accounts of 30 Lebanese public officials.

30??? Wow... I must say that I was pleasantly surprized. The investigation is beginning to look less like a vandetta and more like a sincere (and, may I say, civilized) effort at holding all who are guilty accountable.

Finally, the scope and nature of this investigation is being revealed with actions rather than words... Assuming that all 30 officials get arrested and tried (which is highly unlikely), the investigation would be unprecedented in Lebanese history. As I always say, maybe (hopefully) it will set a defining precedent in the country's history.

Here's a small excerpt from the AP article:

Prosecutors asked the Central Bank on Wednesday to grant access to the bank accounts of 30 Lebanese officials as part of the investigation of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, security and banking officials said.

The officials, who speaking on condition of anonymity owing to the sensitivity of the issue, said they expected the Central Bank to agree to lift banking secrecy on the 30 people named.

Lebanese newspapers have reported that the U.N. investigation into Hariri's assassination has asked for access to the bank accounts of four generals whom it has named as suspects. The reports, which have not been confirmed by U.N. officials, indicated the investigators wanted to see if the suspects received large deposits before a massive bomb killed Hariri and 20 others on Feb. 14.