Lebanese Source: UNIIIC Visit to Damascus Affirms Syria”s Connection to Tribunal
The United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) headed to Damascus to further investigate the 2005 assassination of Lebanon”s ex-premier Rafik Hariri, and sought to question Syrian officials two weeks prior to the launching of the International Special Tribunal for Lebanon, a Lebanese source told the Saudi daily Ash-Sharq al-Awsat on Sunday.
"The UNIIIC delegation went to Damascus to conduct an investigation and not to tour the city," the source said.
He added that the Syrian officials were questioned on data and facts dealing with the Hariri assassination. Some of whom were questioned before.
"For the UNIIIC team to travel to Damascus and question Syrian officials two weeks prior to the launching of the tribunal affirms that Syria is connected to the tribunal, contrary to past and repeated Syrian claims that Syria is not concerned with the tribunal," the Lebanese source said.
He went on to add that cooperation by all states with the commission and the tribunal is mandatory, every state has an interest in cooperating with the commission and in not being accused of hindering justice.
The source added that Damascus fully understands this and has worked with the commission to "facilitate their mission."