Hariri killing: ‘Syrian officials being questioned’

UN investigators began questioning five Syrian officials on Monday over the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik al-Hariri, said diplomatic sources.

The officials being questioned included Syria’s former intelligence chief in Lebanon, Lt-Gen Rustom Ghazali, they added. The others were Lt- Gen Thafer Youssef, Lt-Gen Abdul-Karim Abbas, and a Ghazali aide, Jamea Jamea, said a diplomatic source. The fifth was a civilian official.

They said the questioning will be carried out between December 5 and 7, adding that Deltov Mehlis, Chief UN Investigator, could ask for the arrest of some of the five after they return home. Syria’s reaction could decide whether Mehlis declares it in breach of a Security Council resolution demanding co-operation with the probe. —Reuters