Hariri's son hails UN court move

BEIRUT, May 30 (Reuters) The son of slain former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri today hailed a UN resolution setting up a special court to prosecute suspects in his 2005 assassination.

''This is a victory for oppressed Lebanon,'' Saad al-Hariri, also leader of the parliament's ruling majority, said in a televised address shortly after the Security Council passed the resolution.

''It is the moment of arriving at the gateway of justice,'' he said, choking with tears. Hariri said the move, opposed by Lebanon's pro-Syrian opposition leaders, was ''salvation from the long criminal series of terrorism''.

Supporters in mainly Sunni Muslim areas of Beirut went to the streets to celebrate the resolution as fireworks lit the night sky and candles lit the streets. Some supporters fired assualt rifles into the air.

A stun grenade exploded at about the same time in a Christian suburb of Beirut, causing no casualties or damage.

REUTERS CS SBA BST0155