Syria Seeks UN Probe Deal

Syria said on Thursday an agreement on a legal framework for cooperation with a U.N. inquiry would open the way for the quizzing of six Syrian security officials in the killing of a former Lebanese premier.

Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara said Syria was not looking for a showdown with the United Nations over the investigation into the killing of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri but would not shy away from any confrontation "imposed on us".

"Negotiations on a (cooperation) protocol would open the field for agreement on issues including venue," he told a news briefing.

"Syria is very keen on cooperation to conclude the investigation and close this file as soon as possible," he said.

Chief U.N. investigator Detlev Mehlis had insisted on questioning the six top Syrian officials in Lebanon -- where he can detain suspects. But diplomatic sources in Beirut said recently he had suggested Geneva or Vienna as venues.

Shara did not comment on Lebanese media reports that Mehlis had given Syria until Thursday to agree to one of the venues.

A draft cooperation agreement put forward by Damascus at the United Nations, and obtained by Reuters in New York this week, says Syria wants Mehlis to agree only to question witnesses and suspects inside Syria, and with their lawyers present.

The draft, which Syria said was only a starting point of negotiations, would require the inquiry to share his findings with Syrian investigators.

Mehlis and members of the U.N. Security Council, which authorized him to investigate the February 14 killing of Hariri in Beirut, had made clear that such restrictions would be unacceptable.

But Shara indicated Syria could relent on the venue if a legal framework was agreed.

"Rejection of the protocol means the (investigation) committee is not cooperating with Syria ... Rejecting the signing of the protocol is unjustifiable," Shara said, adding that Syria was waiting for an answer from Mehlis.

We are not seeking a confrontation (with the Security Council) but ... if a confrontation is imposed on us then we will defend ourselves," he said.

In a letter this week, Shara asked U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to intervene with Mehlis and help negotiate with Damascus a "cooperation protocol" governing the investigation.

A U.N. spokesman said Annan would not get involved in any such negotiations.

An October 31 Council resolution ordered Syria to fully cooperate with Mehlis or face possible "further action." The United States and Britain warned Syria on Wednesday against stalling.

In an interim report last month, Mehlis said he had evidence of Syrian and Lebanese officials' involvement in Hariri's murder in a truck bombing that also killed 22 others.

Syria denies any role in the killing.

Source: Reuters

Libnen.com

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