Syrian proposal to sign cooperation protocol rejected by Mehlis

In a strong criticism against Detlive Mehlis, the chairman of the UN investigation committee into the assassination of Rafiq al-Hariri, the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Sharaa said in a meeting with the press in Damascus that Mehlis refused "unjustifiably the concept of signing the protocol" which Sharaa said may resolve many issues suspended with the committee such as the venue and time for interrogating Syrian officials.

The Syrian officials added that Mehlis "refuses the offer given by Syria" over the interrogation of the Syrian security officials at the headquarters of the Syrian forces ( UNDOF) in the Golan, adding that this position "created doubts in the Syrian leadership." Sharaa added that Mehlis's refusal to sign a protocol is not justified and called on Mehlis on the need to reach a legal framework for cooperation that opens the way before the interrogation of 6 Syrian security officials suspected in the case. He added that Syria awaits the answer from Mehlis.

Sharaa explained that Damascus made contacts with all members of the UN Security Council "to explain Syria's desire to maintain cooperation on clear bases." He said that Syria does not want clashes with the UN over the issue, but will defend itself if this issue is imposed on it.

But the UN committee which refused to impose restrictions on the investigations proposed that the investigation to take place in Geneva or Vienna as a headquarters for the interrogation after Damascus had refused the interrogation operations in Lebanon.

Sharaa did not comment on reports by the Lebanese media said that Mehlis gave Syria a grace period until Thursday to agree on one of the two places, but he indicated that Damascus may take a flexible position over the place of the interrogation, if the legal framework is agreed on.