UNITED NATIONS, October 26, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Despite the fact that the UN investigation into the murder of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri not being finished, UN Security Council members Wednesday, October 26, discussed a tough-worded, US-French draft resolution threatening sanctions if Syria does not fully cooperate in the probe.

Co-sponsored by Britain and circulated late Tuesday, the draft demands the arrest of any Syrian national suspected of involvement in the assassination, and greater leeway for UN investigators.

The draft, a copy of which was obtained by Agence France-Presse (AFP), was worked out by the US and French UN envoys -- John Bolton and Jean-Marc de la Sabliere -- after the Security Council heard a briefing by UN chief investigator Detlev Mehlis on his unfinished investigation that implicated senior Syrian and Lebanese security officials in the February 14 slaying.

Damascus has denied any role in the massive car bombing.

The draft resolution called on Syria to detain "Syrian officials or individuals" the UN probe considered suspects in the car bombing "and make them fully and unconditionally available to the commission."

It demanded that the Mehlis commission be allowed "to interview Syrian officials or other individuals that the commission deems relevant to the inquiry outside Syria and/or outside the presence of any other Syrian official if the commission so requests."

The text stipulated that to ensure the Mehlis panel's effectiveness it must have full cooperation from Syrian authorities, including full access to all information and evidence in their possession as well as freedom of movement throughout Syrian territory.

The commission must also have "the authority to collect any additional information and evidence ... pertaining to this terrorist act, as well as to interview all officials and other persons" in Syria, it said.

The draft called for sanctions against individuals designated, or who might be designated in the future, by the panel as suspects in the murder. The sanctions include a travel ban and a freeze of assets.

It additionally said Syria must stop meddling in Lebanese domestic affairs, directly or indirectly, refrain from any attempt aimed at destabilizing Lebanon and respect its neighbor's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.

A paragraph in the draft contained an implied threat of economic sanctions against Damascus, warning that it would consider "further measures pursuant to article 41 of the (UN) charter, if needed, to ensure compliance by Syria."

This article, which stipulates that the council can decide what measures not involving the use of force must be taken to ensure compliance, could face resistance from veto-wielding members China and Russia, which are known to be reluctant to resort to sanctions by the council, AFP said.

The Security Council is expected to formally discuss Syria at a meeting early next week. Diplomats hope to arrive at a final draft resolution by then.

"Every paragraph in this report deserves a comment to refute its contents," Mekdad said. (Reuters)

Some security council members consider a resolution on Syria premature and suggest waiting for the Mehlis commission to complete its probe.

In his briefing Tuesday, Mehlis said the investigation was still open, adding his team now had until December 15 to pursue its work in line with an extension request made by the Lebanese government and approved by UN chief Kofi Annan.

Mehlis urged Syrian authorities "to show greater and meaningful cooperation and to provide any relevant substantial evidence on the assassination," suggesting they also conduct their own investigation into the murder.

"This would enable the commission to 'fill in the gaps' and to have a clearer picture about the organizers and perpetrators of the 14 February terrorist act," he added.

Mehlis said his 30-member team from 17 countries had received a number of "credible" threats, which he expected would increase before his probe ended on December 15.

In response, Syria's UN ambassador, Fayssal Mekdad, told the Security Council Damascus had cooperated and would continue to do so, according to Reuters.

He added blaming Hariri's death on Syrian and Lebanese security services was like accusing US security of responsibility for the Sept. 11 attacks because they were in its territory.

"Every paragraph in this report deserves a comment to refute its contents," Mekdad said.

Cooperation

Syrians opposed politicizing the report. (Reuters)

Meanwhile, Assad, in a letter sent to Washington, London and Paris, pledged to bring to trial any Syrian linked to the murder of Hariri, according to The Washington Post Wednesday, October 26.

Assad, in the letter dated Sunday, denied involvement by his government in the car bombing and warned that any international pressure brought to bear on Syria would have "serious repercussions" in the region.

"I have declared that Syria is innocent of this crime, and I am ready to follow up action to bring to trial any Syrian who could be proved by concrete evidence to have had connection with this crime," Assad said in the letter.

The letter suggested that Assad's government would cooperate in the UN investigation to deflect criticism, The Washington Post said.

US President George W. Bush has accused Damascus of destabilizing Lebanon and backing what he terms "terrorists" and said the United Nations must hold Damascus accountable.

"Syria and its leaders must be held accountable for their continuing support for terrorism, including any involvement in the murder of prime minister Hariri," he said in a speech at Bolling Air Force Base.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin urged "balanced action" from the world community toward Syria "so as not to allow new flashpoints of tension in the region."