Washington Post: Syria seeks deal with USA on Hariri investigation

A new report issued on Friday said that Damascus is trying to finalize a deal avoiding it the consequences of the UN investigation in the assassination of Rafiq al-Hariri.

The Washington Post daily attributed American and European officials as saying that Syria is trying to negotiate a deal to avoid punishment by the UN in case it is proved to be involved -- "as is widely expected" -- in the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri.

The paper attributed the same sources as saying that the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad discussed in August a likely deal similar to that finalized by the Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi to end the UN sanctions which were imposed on his country over its role in blowing up one American plane in 1988 over Lockerbie in Scotland.

The Washington Post reported that "the United States, France and U.N. officials have all recently signaled to Syria that they will not compromise on the completion of a full investigation into the slaying of Lebanese reformer Rafiq Hariri -- or subsequent legal steps, wherever the probe leads, the officials said."

The paper said that among the matters which Damascus discussed was its readiness to hand over several Syrian intelligence and hirelings in return for guarantees that no later trials will be made against any other Syrian official.

The Washington Post reported "The investigation has been facilitated by an unexpected flow of information from Lebanese security sources as well as at least two well-placed Syrian officials, according to Western sources familiar with the probe. Some have been moved to Europe, the sources said." The paper added that there will be a political crisis if those higher ups in the government are shown to be involved.

The Washington Post said that the European and American officials are discussing now a new resolution by the UN Security Council that ensures trying each and every one said to be involved, according to the UN report in the assassination of al-Hariri.