Security Council

5648^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF COMMISSION INVESTIGATING HARIRI ASSASSINATION

UNTIL 15 JUNE 2008, UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1748 (2007)

Affirming its willingness to continue to assist Lebanon in the search for the truth in the terrorist attack of 14 February 2005 that killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others, the Security Council this morning extended, until 15 June 2008, the mandate of the International Independent Investigation Commission it created to investigate that attack.

The Council held a discussion on the most recent report of the International Independent Investigation Commission on 21 March (see Press Release SC/8973), during which Commissioner Serge Brammertz told the 15-nation body that significant progress was being made, not only on the 14 February attack, and that the Commission continued to provide technical assistance to the Lebanese authorities in 16 other cases, examining potential linkages with the Hariri case.  Those cases included the assassination of Minister Pierre Gemayel and the bombing of two buses in Ain Alaq.

In unanimously adopting resolution 1748 (2007), the Council noted the Commission’s conclusion that it was unlikely that the Commission would complete its work before its current mandate expired.  However, the Council declared its readiness to terminate the mandate earlier, if the Commission would report that it had completed its mandated tasks.

The meeting started at 11:02 a.m. and adjourned at 11:06 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1748 (2007) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 1595 (2005), 1636 (2005), 1644 (2005), 1664 (2006), 1686 (2006), 1373 (2001) and 1566 (2004),

“Reaffirmingits 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/2007/150) (“The Commission”), submitted pursuant to resolutions 1595 (2005), 1636 (2005), 1644 (2005), and 1686 (2006),

“Commendingthe Commission for the outstanding professional work it continues to accomplish under difficult circumstances in assisting the Lebanese authorities in their investigation into all aspects of this terrorist act,

“Taking note of the letter of the Prime Minister of Lebanon of 21 February 2007 to the Secretary-General (S/2007/159, Enclosure) requesting that the mandate of the Commission be extended for a further period of up to one year from 15 June 2007 in order to ensure stability and continuity in the investigative process, and noting the concurrent recommendation of the Secretary-General in this regard,

“Noting the Commission’s conclusion that, in light of its current and planned investigative activities and while significant progress has been made, it is unlikely that the Commission will complete its work before its current mandate expires and that the Commission therefore welcomes the Lebanese request for an extension of its mandate beyond this date,

“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 2008 and declares its readiness to terminate the mandate earlier if the Commission reports that it has completed the implementation of its mandate;

“3.   Requests the Commission to continue to report to the Council on the progress of the investigation every four months, or at any other time as it deems appropriate;

“4.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record