Sudan urges Syria’s cooperation on UN Hariri probe

Nov 24, 2005 (BEIRUT) — Sudan has launched a motion to promote cooperation of Syria with the UN Security Council on a probe over the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, said a special envoy of the Sudanese president on Thursday.

The motion aims to reduce differences between Syria and Lebanon, promote fraternal dialogues between the two countries and remove the impediments for the UN probe panel on al-Hariri’s murder, visiting envoy Mustafa Osman Ismail told reporters after a meeting with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud.

It has been widely applauded by the Arab nations and President Lahoud also expressed welcome to the motion, he said.

Finding out the truth behind the Feb. 14 truck bomb assassination of al-Hariri in Beirut would not only benefit Lebanon, but also be conducive to security in Syria and other Arabian nations, as well as world peace at large, he noted.

Ismail said the motion was actually a support for Syria, adding that the country should carry out a full cooperation with the UN Security Council in the case in order to avoid a sanction.

He called for efforts to reduce tensions between Syria and Lebanon and build bilateral mutual trust. An active role played bythe Arab nations would help diffuse the worry and sense of uncertainties of Syria.

The Sudanese envoy arrived here early Thursday after wrapping up a visit to Syria.

(Xinhua/ST)