SC/8749
16 JUNE 2006
Security Council Extends Commission Investigating Rafik Hariri Killing until 15 June 2007
Unanimously Adopts Resolution 1686 (2006)
NEW YORK, 15 June (UN Headquarters) -- Expressing its willingness to continue to assist Lebanon in the search for the truth surrounding the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others, the United Nations Security Council today extended until mid-June 2007 the mandate of the international commission probing the deadly 2005 car bomb attack.
With the unanimous adoption a new resolution extending the lifespan of the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (IIIC), the Council reaffirmed its "strongest condemnation" of the 14 February 2005 terrorist bombing that killed the former Lebanese premier, as well as all other attacks in Lebanon over the past two years.
Reaffirming that those involved in these attacks must be held accountable for their crimes, the Council requested that United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan provide the Commission with the support and resources it needed to expand technical assistance to the Lebanese authorities with regard to their investigations into the other terrorist attacks perpetrated in Lebanon since 1 October 2004.
The Council's action came just a day after Serge Brammertz, the Commission's lead investigator, reported "considerable progress" in pursuing the perpetrators, and laid out the results of critical forensic evidence from the crime scene, which revealed that an individual may have set off the massive bomb packed in a Mitsubishi that exploded with the force of 1,200 kilograms of TNT as Mr. Hariri's convoy passed by on a Beirut street. Mr. Brammertz asked the Council to give his team of investigators, analysts and translators at least another year so that "justice will eventually be done".
The meeting began at 10:06 a.m. and ended at 10:09 a.m.
Council Resolution
The full text of resolution 1686 (2006) reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 1595 (2005) of 7 April 2005, 1636 (2005) of 31 October 2005, 1644 (2005) of 15 December 2005, 1664 (2006) of 29 March 2006, 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001, and 1566 (2004) of 8 October 2004, "Reaffirming its strongest condemnation of the 14 February 2005 terrorist bombing, as well as of all other attacks in Lebanon since October 2004, and reaffirming also that those involved in these attacks must be held accountable for their crimes,
"Having examined the report of the International Independent Investigation Commission (S/2006/375) ("the Commission"), submitted pursuant to resolutions 1595 (2005), 1636 (2005) and 1644 (2005),
"Commending the Commission for the outstanding professional work it continues to accomplish under difficult circumstances in assisting the Lebanese authorities in their investigation of all aspects of this terrorist act, and taking note of the Commission's conclusion that, while significant progress has been made, the investigation is not yet complete,
"Taking note of the letter of the Prime Minister of Lebanon of 4 May 2006 to the Secretary-General (S/2006/278) requesting that the mandate of the Commission be extended for a further period of up to one year from 15 June 2006, and noting the concurrent recommendation of the Commission in this regard,
"Recalling its request to the Secretary-General in resolution 1644 (2005) to submit recommendations with regard to the request of the Government of Lebanon to expand the mandate of the Commission to the other terrorist attacks perpetrated in Lebanon since 1 October 2004,
"Willing to continue to assist Lebanon in the search for the truth and in holding all those involved in this terrorist attack accountable,
"1. Welcomes the report of the Commission;
"2. Decides to extend the mandate of the Commission until 15 June 2007;
"3. Supports the Commission's intention, as it deems appropriate and consistent with its mandate, to extend further its technical assistance to the Lebanese authorities with regard to their investigations into the other terrorist attacks perpetrated in Lebanon since 1 October 2004, and requests the Secretary-General to provide the Commission with the support and resources needed in this regard;
"4. Requests the Commission to continue to report to the Council on the progress of the investigation on a quarterly basis, or at any other time as it deems appropriate;
"5. Decides to remain seized of the matter."
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