Region | Lebanon

'Truck's chassis number not matching'

UAE authorities are investigating a claim made in the UN report that the truck used in the massive explosion that killed former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri had probably been shipped through one of the UAE ports

  • By Jumana Al Tamimi, GCC & Middle East Editor
  • Published: 23:31 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

Dubai: UAE authorities are investigating a claim made in the UN report that the truck used in the massive explosion that killed former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri had probably been shipped through one of the UAE ports.

When contacted by Gulf News, a senior official said: "Yes, we received a request from Mehlis. The investigations are under way."

In the 25-page report that was presented to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Sunday, Mehlis pointed out to a piece of an engine among other vehicle parts during their search of the explosion scene.

"It was identified as a part of a vehicle stolen from Japan on 12 October 2004," said the report.

At the commission's request, the Japanese security authorities conduced an investigation, and "they concluded that this vehicle had been shipped, either in whole or in part, from Japan to another country, most likely the UAE," it said.

The UAE official source said: "The UN investigation team provided us with the number of the container as well as the number of the chassis.

"After checking the bills for the said container, we found out that the same truck was not part of the consignment. Also, the chassis number of the vehicle [provided by the UN] is not matching with any of the numbers of the cars that were shipped," through UAE.

The official stressed, "UAE is fully cooperating with UN investigation."

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

More from Lebanon

  1. Unity Cabinet unlikely to tackle divisive arms issue

  2. Hezbollah leader lashes out at Obama

  3. New Lebanese regime's priorities

  4. Lebanon's unity cabinet comes under scrutiny

All articles in Lebanon

More from Region

Gulf News
Popular in News
News Editor's choice