A five-member advance team handling logistics for the investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri began its work in Beirut Thursday. The team, headed by American Mark Quarterman of the U.N. Department of Political Affairs, discussed matters such as security, communications and where the team would be based with Lebanon's acting Foreign Ministry chief, Butros Asaker, and other ministry officials. Quarterman did not wish to speak to reporters following the meeting. The team also met with Interior Ministry officials and was scheduled to meet with officials from the Justice Ministry. The U.N. team, which arrived in Beirut Wednesday, is paving the way for the arrival in the next few weeks of a commission of investigation into Hariri's Feb. 14 assassination that was ordered by the U.N. Security Council.
