Saad al-Hariri

'False witnesses' and the truth

For the past five years, the world was led to believe that Syria was behind the massive car bombing that killed former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri and 22 others in Beirut.

Now, Rafiq's son  - Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri – said he had been wrong to accuse Damascus for the murder adding that the charges had been politically motivated.

Politically motivated or not – Hariri's climb down represented a shift in the balance of power in the region.

Hariri also admitted that witnesses who came forward after the bombing made "false testimonies" that pointed the finger of blame at Syria.

Even before the special international tribunal on the Hariri assassination was established, Syria and its Lebanon allies questioned its credibility alleging it was created for political motives.

Hariri's admission, however, was not enough for the Syrian leadership and the Lebanese opposition.