Mehlis report is far from the truth, says Damascus
Detlev Mehlis's report has prompted contradictory reactions in Lebanon and Syria, mirroring a division among the neighbours in the political sphere.
Detlev Mehlis's report has prompted contradictory reactions in Lebanon and Syria, mirroring a division among the neighbours in the political sphere.
- US seeks action against Syria
- Report 'powerful than blast that killed Hariri'
- 'Mehlis report is far from the truth'
- The main suspects in Hariri assassination
- Abu Adass 'in all likelihood a scapegoat'
- Report regarded as political message to Syria
- Rice says World must hold Syria accountable
- Damascus in a battle for survival - analysts
- Reactions to the UN report
Top Syrian officials, however, said their worst fears had come true with the publication of the "fabricated report".
Syrian information minister Mahdi Dakhlallah said the report was politically motivated and was fabricated to suit US interests against Syria.
"The report is far from the truth. It was not professional ... it will be part of a deception in this region," he told Al Jazeera.
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud was quoted by Reuters as strongly denying a UN claim that he was one of two key officials who received a phone call from one of the suspects minutes before Hariri's killing.
Ahmad Jibril of the Popular Front of Palestinian Liberation whose name was mentioned in the report said it was shocked by Mehlis's reference to the group although the commission did not investigate with them.
Syrian opposition activists, however, predicted that this was the beginning of the end for the Syrian regime.
Dr Najeeb Al Gadbian, a Washington-based opposition leader, told Gulf News that Syrian activists will nevertheless urge the US administration to refrain from taking action against innocent Syrian people.
What next?
Security Council to meet on Tuesday
- The UN Security Council meets on Tuesday to discuss what action to take after a briefing by chief investigator Detlev Mehlis.
- The US and its allies appear to be laying the ground for economic sanctions against Damascus.
- But analysts suggest that European countries could be more reluctant to impose such broad sanctions before a court of law proves Syrian involvement and fear an Iraq-style slide into lawlessness if the Damascus government crumbles.
