Observers considered these developments as dramatic and strategic steps toward revealing the truth behind the murder. Melhis, in cooperation with Lebanese authorities, conducted a raid on the homes of three former security chiefs and former MP Nasser Qandil, escorting the well-known figures to the UN probe committee's headquarters in Monteverdi, but this time as suspects and not witnesses.Apparently, Mehlis has acquired precise and important information on the assassination through his interrogation of 240 witnesses, in addition to statements made by some Lebanese to irritate the security regime that was dominating the country. These statements seem to have led to the uncovering of key information, which led Mehlis to take legal action against the former security chiefs for their suspected involvement in the crime or for hiding information and tampering with evidence at the scene.
Observers said the international community is keeping abreast of the commission's mission, noting the Security Council meeting held Tuesday night after the arrests of the security chiefs. The Security Council hailed Mehlis' decision, and once more urged Syria to cooperate with the investigative committee. Despite reassurances by President Bashar Assad, made during an interview with the German newspaper Der Spiegel, of Syria's willingness to cooperate fully, as well as its innocence of all allegations leveled against it, no such change in relations has been detected.
| The old "say one thing, do another trick." |
In the event Syria continues its refusal to cooperate with the committee, the Security Council would be forced to increase its pressures on Damascus for the implementation of the international resolutions in question, in particular Resolution 1595, and could also take economic measures as well. Accordingly, the arrest of Lebanon's former security chiefs can only tighten the noose around Syria and force it to abide by the international resolutions. The Hariri assassination probe will not be limited to revealing the identities of the perpetrators, but will further seek to uncover the identities of those who plotted and provoked the crime. In light of these crucial developments, the Security Council will call for the complete implementation of UN Resolution 1559 and the establishment of independent and free institutions in the country.