'Significant progress' in Hariri probe

Dubai: The United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission, (UNIIIC), probing the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister, Rafik Hariri and 22 of his companions is satisfied with the Syrian and Lebanese governments for their cooperation in the case.
UNIIIC, however, declined to reveal how close the investigators are from identifying the suspects due to security reasons.

Radhia Achouri, spokesperson of the UNIIIC told Gulf News, that the commission has made significant progress in its investigations and would submit its finding to the court of Special Tribunal of Lebanon.

The court will start the proceedings beginning from March 1 in Leidschendam, near The Hague, Netherlands.

The UNIIC was formed by the United Nations in April, 2005, to investigate the assassination of Hariri and his companions. There were three heads of the committee, including Justice Daniel Bellemare, who is also prosecutor-designate of the STL.

In a telephone interview Achouri told Gulf News that the UNIIIC has always maintained the secrecy of its operation in order not to jeopardise the safety of its witnesses and the suspects in the case.

Following is the text of the interview:

Gulf News: How close are you in the process of identifying the suspects in Rafik Hariri assassination case?

ACHOURI:This question deals with an operational aspect of the investigation, which the Commission does not publicise. As Daniel Bellemare, head of the UNIIIC, stated in his two reports submitted to the Security Council, the Commission has made progress in its investigations.

However, to describe particular aspects of the progress is also to publicise the identity of persons who may have information relevant to the investigation and put their lives in jeopardy. It may also compromise investigative opportunities currently being pursued as it would advertise the investigation's next steps. Such information would benefit those responsible for the crimes under the investigation.

Do you expect full cooperation from the Lebanese government?

The Commission has been cooperating with the Lebanese authorities and in all its reports, the Commission has noted with satisfaction and appreciation the cooperation extended by the competent Lebanese authorities.

As the investigation continues under the Office of the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, it is expected that the same level of cooperation will be provided and this has been stated publicly and repeatedly by Lebanese Government officials.

Looking into the record of Syrian government cooperation with the investigations, do you expect Syria to cooperate with the court?

In his two reports to the Security Council submitted in April 2008 and December 2008, Commissioner/Prosecutor Designate, Bellemare, stated that the cooperation provided by the Syrian authorities had continued to be generally satisfactory.

The objective of the Special Tribunal is to promote justice and the rule of law and to help the Lebanese put an end to impunity. This an objective shared by all and the Office of the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon will need the unwavering support and full cooperation of all Member States in order to be able to conduct effective investigations and prosecutions.