Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Danny Alexander (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 1 November 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Rafiq Hariri

Question: I am grateful for that reply. The UN resolution is welcome confirmation of the will of the international community to identify, and take action against, those who are responsible for that appalling act. However, if the final report proves Syrian involvement beyond doubt, will the Foreign Secretary set out the measures that the Government would be prepared to take to act against those who are responsible?

Answer: First, I hope very much that the Syrian Government change their ways and co-operate with Detlev Mehlis, the UN prosecutor. As was made clear in the Security Council, the history has been one of co-operation on form, at best, and not on substance. Prosecutor Mehlis' interim report is a chilling catalogue of evasion and half-truths by the Syrian Government. I hope that they get the message: if they do not, the Security Council will take account of operational paragraph 13, which states that a further report would be compiled and that, if necessary, a further meeting would be held to consider further action. It is likely that that further action would be as set out in article 41 of the UN Charter, which includes provision for non-military sanctions.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 438 c716
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Inquiries Foreign relations Prime ministers UN resolutions Syria Lebanon Assassination Hariri, Rafik
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk