UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 30  -- The United Nations said Sunday the tribunal that will try those accused of the assassination of a former prime minister of Lebanon will convene in March 2009.

Rafiq Hariri was killed in a Beirut car-bombing in 2005 that U. N. investigators contend had ties to Syrian intelligence agencies.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a written statement that the March 1, 2009, start date for the tribunal was agreed upon Sunday when he and the current Lebanese prime minister, Fouad Siniora, met at a U. N. conference in Qatar.

"Prime Minister Siniora and I agree that the launch of the special tribunal will be a significant step toward the end of impunity," Ban told reporters. "We also hope that the Security Council will endorse the plan." (UPi)