Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

British Source: &#34doubts exist on Damascus’s involvement in Hariri assassination&#34 | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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London, Asharq Al-Awsat- Syria should open an embassy in Lebanon as evidence of its good intentions towards Beirut , according to a high-ranking British diplomat.

Indicating that doubts existed on Damascus’s involvement in the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the source re-affirmed it was crucial to await the conclusions of the UN investigation into the killing, adding that the German judge Detlev Mehlis was diligently overseeing the probe and was admired by the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Speaking during a meeting with a small number of Arab journalists at the Foreign Office headquarters in London, the diplomat said, “[Broad] doubts exist as to possible Syrian involvement but it is necessary to await the final report to judge more clearly.”

The source added that the report into the assassination and its recommendations will be subjected to &#34the Lebanese authorities”, adding hat the investigation was being carried out in agreement with Beirut and would not supersede the authority of the government.

“It is impossible to remain silent on the assassination attempts supported by a certain government” and added that refusing this sort of activity was the main reason “behind the Security Council resolution 1559.”

Syria had “to abide by all the elements of resolution 1559”, the source said. One way Damascus could show its cooperation and good intentions towards its neighbor “and to recognize it was to open an embassy in Beirut”.

The European Union had other grievances with Damascus “because it has failed to control its borders to stem the flow of fighter heading to Iraq and it continues to harbor Palestinian factions as well as its human right record.&#34 He indicated that arming any faction in the Palestinian refugee camps or elsewhere was a breach of resolution 1559.