Serge Brammertz, Commissioner of the UN International
Independent Investigation Commission (IIIC) probing the murder of
former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, said Wednesday that
considerable progress has been achieved in the investigation.
Brammertz briefed the Security Council about the development of
the investigation on the basis of his latest report of his
commission's probe into the killing of Hariri.
"Over the past three months, the investigation has further
developed," he told the council members. "Critical forensics work
on the crime scene and the convoy vehicles has been completed."
"While continuing essential forensics work, the commission will,
in the months ahead, focus on the identification of the
perpetrators and those who commissioned the crime," Brammertz
added.
He also noted that the commission is satisfied with Syria's
cooperation on the issue, saying "the level of assistance to the
commission provided by Syria during the reporting period has
generally been satisfactory."
"Syria responded to all requests in a timely manner. In some
instances comprehensive responses were provided," he said.
Brammertz claimed that he is in favor of Lebanon's request to
extend the mandate of the commission for a further period of up to
one year.
"Such extension would provide a sense of continuity and
stability, and guarantee steady operations and planning," he
explained a day before the commission's mandate was set to
expire.
Brammertz also pointed out some potential linkages between the
Hariri investigation and the 14 other cases, which include
assassinations and assassination attempts targeting anti-Syrian
Lebanese figures as well as attacks on commercial interests since
Oct. 1, 2004.
He concluded that the cases can be linked in a number of
different ways and from varying perspectives, notably in the
similarities in their method of operating, and their intent.
Brammertz admitted that all the other cases at present are
lacking significant forward investigative momentum. He thus called
for external assistance to advance the investigation of these cases
which are of potential importance to the Hariri investigation.
Lebanese Secretary-General in Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Emigrants Boutros Assaker, who attended the Council meeting, said
Lebanon and its people would remain exceptionally determined and
persistent in investigating the crime alongside the international
community.
However, Fayssal Mekdad, Syria's Vice-Minister for Foreign
Affairs, noted the report's positive references to Syria's efforts
to cooperate with the commission, as well as its positive response
in providing the investigation with all necessary information in a
timely manner.
He stressed that the most dangerous thing confronting the
investigation was exploitation by certain parties to "jump to
conclusions or prejudgments not based on clear evidence or proof,"
and attempts to provide false evidence for the main purpose of
pressuring Syria.
Brammertz submitted his latest report to UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan on Saturday. The report is the fourth of its kind since
the beginning of the investigation last June. Annan appointed
Brammertz in January to succeed Detlev Mehlis as Commissioner of
the UNIIIC.
(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2006)
