Brammertz stops short of naming Assad regime

UN chief investigator Serge Brammertz told the UN security council on Wednesday that the motive for killing Rafik Hariri in 2005 is "linked to Hariri's political activities". For those who don't understand what this means, Brammertz cites a combination of factors—all pointing towards the Assad regime.

Among those factors, Brammertz cited "the inception of (UN Security Council) Resolution 1559 (calling for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon) and the implications of its implementation; the extension of the term of (Lebanese) President (Emile) Lahoud; the dynamics between Hariri and other political parties and leaders in Lebanon, Syria and other countries and preparation ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2005." (AFP/Yahoo)

You can read the full Brammertz report here.

Comments

[JoseyWales]

motive for killing Rafik Hariri in 2005 is "linked to Hariri's political activities"

Oh no! What a shock! Another 3 years of investigation and Brammertz may tell us that Hariri was inside his car when it blew up. The suspense is killing me.

One of many instances, international and domestic, where bureaucracies, committees, consensus etc DO NOT work.

[Vox P.]

I just hope that Brammertz will reveal the culprit before my hair turn white.

[Jay]

The plot disperses.

[ghassan karam]

As important as the investigation into the Rafic Hariri assassination is It should not and cannot rise to the level where it is the only preoccupation of a nation. But then it takes a major talent to chew gum and walk a straight line!!!

[another_someone]

Speaking of talent, you guys can run very fast on a tightrope I guess? =)

[Shunkleash]

Pardon moi Serge but hint hint wink wink...we know its them, you know its them, Bashar knows its them, lassie knows its them, Jesus knows its them, even michael jackson when he isnt on an oxygen high knows its them....JEESH!! the whole basis of bashars "strategy" is to make sure SYRIA IS NOT named...FOR GODS SAKE DO IT ALREADY and lets get to step two which is...these days who the HELL knows:-) I just get the feeling that lebanon and its stinking no good desperate people are being cornholed again...

By the way I can rub my head and stomach while jumping on one leg and crow like (well a crow)...do i get the nod?

Shunkleash (PBUH)

[Solomon2]

"Stops short of naming Assad regime"? The report stops waayyy short of that, and goes out of its way to label Syrian cooperation as "satisfactory".

Item 28 is intriguing: someone killed at the bomb scene but apparently not by the bomb explosion. There are plots within plots here, but it seems Brammertz has enough money and is working on recruiting enough personnel to handle it all.