The UN Plays a Crucial Role Investigating Syria’s Part in Hariri Killing

On February 14, 2005, former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, was assassinated in a bomb blast in Lebanon’s capital Beirut. Hariri was a prominent politician known for his opposition to the enormous influence that the Syrian government had in Lebanese politics.

Since the tragic assassination of Rafik Hariri in February, the United Nations has played a vital role in the investigation. This task would not have been able to be carried out alone by Lebanon, the United States, the European Union or the Arab League due to the lack of capacity or objectivity required for such a case. The expertise and resources that the Secretary General was able to put together for such an extensive investigation is an example of how effective the United Nations can be when countries work together to confront a global issue.

In response to a request from the Security Council, Secretary General Kofi Annan established a three-member fact-finding team led by Ireland's deputy police commissioner, Peter Fitzgerald. The team’s three week mission focused on inspecting the scene of the assassination, meeting Lebanese politicians, security and judicial officials, as well as members of the opposition.

At the end of the investigation, the team produced a report stating that the Lebanese inquiry into the incident was insufficient and inconclusive. Although it did not directly accuse Syria of involvement in the incident, the report did blame the Syrian government for the political tension between Lebanon and Syria before the assassination. The report recommended that an international independent commission be created to carry out a thorough investigation of Hariri’s death.

Therefore, in April, the UN Security Council ordered an international inquiry into the killing of Rafik Hariri. The resolution was co-sponsored by the U.S, France and Britain urging the creation of an independent commission – headed by German prosecutor Detlev Mehlis – to complete its investigation in three months. However, Secretary General Kofi Annan was given the authority to extend the deadline if it became necessary.

Last Thursday, October 21, 2005, Mr. Mehlis released his report that accuses the Syrian government for lack of cooperation with the investigation. It also suggests that both senior Syrian and Lebanese figures were involved in Hariri’s death. Some of the key names that were included in the investigation include the Lebanese president, Emile Lahoud, the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad and the head of Syrian military intelligence and Assad’s brother in law, Asef Shawkat.

The United States along with France is exploring the possibility of imposing sanctions and other measures to ensure that the Syrian government is not let off the hook. Due to opposition from some Security Council members, the course of action that will be taken by the UN is unknown.

On October 31, 2005, the UN Security Council unanimously voted on a resolution, which obliges Syria’s full-fledged cooperation with the investigation, and is under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, giving the Security Council the authority to use force in the event of noncompliance.  UN investigators will report any lapses in Syrian cooperation by December 15, 2005.