US Human rights group urges criminal probe against Sharon

A US-based human rights group called for launching a criminal investigation into Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's role in the massacre of civilians in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila.

The call by human rights watch comes as Prime Minister Sharon begins a visit to the US, and as controversy mounts in Europe over his responsibility for the 1982 killings.

The Israeli leader will meet President GeorgeW Bush on Tuesday at the White House.

There is conclusive evidence that war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed on a wide scale in the Sabra and Shatila refugees camps' massacre, but to date, not a single individual has been brought to justice," said Hanny Megally, executive director of the Middle East and North Africa division of human rights watch.

"President Bush should urge Prime Minister Sharon to cooperate with any investigation," Megally added.

"As defense Minister, Ariel Sharon had the overall responsibility over the Israeli forces and allowed Phalanges militias to enter the camps and terrorize the citizens for three days," the group said.

The debate in Europe erupted following a BBC documentary on the Sabra and Shatila massacre, which was aired in the United Kingdom on June 17.

The day after, survivors of the massacre lodged a complaint against Sharon with a Belgian court.