The Guardian: response to UN investigation meeting al-Assad misunderstood

The Guardian reported today that "The Syrian government signaled yesterday that it would allow United Nations investigators to talk to president Bashar Assad about the assassination of the Lebanese prime minister, Rafiq Hariri."

The US has expressed its concern over Syria rejecting the request by the UN investigators to meet with the Syrian president. The spokesman for the US State Department, Adam Early, said that Washington considers Syria's non cooperation with the UN investigation committee as a big issue.

The Guardian said: Mahdi Dakhl-Allah, the Syrian information minister, was reported yesterday to have ruled out an interview with Mr Assad but he said later he had been misinterpreted. He said a meeting was possible "There is a difference between a questioning and an audience," he said.

The Guardian reported "The Syrian government also agreed that its foreign minister, Farouq al-Shara, and other officials can be interviewed in Vienna next week"