Five suspects, all linked to Hezbollah, which is part of the current government, have since been indicted for the killing. They remain at large and are being tried in absentia.
Supporters of Hezbollah accuse the tribunal of serving US and Israeli interests.
The court was set up with United Nations support after Lebanese politicians said their judicial system could not cope with the investigation.
Its annual funding comes jointly from Lebanon and Western and Gulf Arab countries.
LBCI/REUTERS