Hariri's "violent death" on February 14, 2005, "cast a shadow not only on Lebanon, but on the region and throughout the world," Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said in a statement.

"This years anniversary is especially significant because the work of the UNs International Independent Investigation Commission will soon continue under the auspices of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon," he commented.

"Canada is proud that our countrys former assistant deputy attorney general, Daniel Bellemare, has led the Commission since 2007.

"We are pleased that he will continue his task as prosecutor for the Special Tribunal. We applaud the Commissions work so far toward bringing the perpetrators of the assassination to justice." -Agencies