UN official backs Mehlis probe in Hariri investigation

Continuing meetings in Beirut yesterday, a senior United Nations official emphasized his confidence in the UN Detlev Mehlis' investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri and issued a renewed plea for Syria to cooperate fully with that probe so that the crime does not go unpunished.

At a news conference following his meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari said "there is no real option but for Syria to cooperate" with the UN International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC).