 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 Damascusâs 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.
| I don't think they're very big doubts, from what we've read to date. Now, whether somebody tries to cover up or dismiss the evidence is a different matter... |
Speaking during a meeting with a small number of Arab journalists at the Foreign Office headquarters in London, the diplomat said, â[Broad] doubts exist as to possible Syrian involvement but it is necessary to await the final report to judge more clearly.â
| I love stories with unnamed sources, don't you? |
The source added that the report into the assassination and its recommendations will be subjected to "the Lebanese authoritiesâ, adding that the investigation was being carried out in agreement with Beirut and would not supersede the authority of the government. âIt is impossible to remain silent on the assassination attempts supported by a certain governmentâ and added that refusing this sort of activity was the main reason âbehind the Security Council resolution 1559.â Syria had âto abide by all the elements of resolution 1559â, the source said. One way Damascus could show its cooperation and good intentions towards its neighbor âand to recognize it was to open an embassy in Beirutâ. |