The Analyst Blog

U.N. Must Broaden Its Investigation Into the Hariri Murder

In a way, two of today's top international headlines define a major part of the legacy of the United Nations - that of too much talk and too little action.

While the U.N. "wrestles" with whether or not to broaden its inquiry (NYT) into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri (Scottsman), the people of Lebanon are mourning the death of yet another murdered Lebanese politician who made a name for himself by speaking out against the Syrian occupation of and interference in Lebanon (AlJazeera). This week's assassination marks at least the fourth believed to be linked to Syria since Syrian troops pulled out of Lebanon this Spring (RCP/NYP).

Now more than ever, the U.N. must broaden its investigation into the murder of Rafik Hariri, and into the damaging role that Syria almost certainly continues to play in Lebanon today. If it doesn't, Syria will have little motivation to keep its bombs out of Lebanese politics.

****UPDATE****

As of 12/15, the U.N. has extended its investigation into the death of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, but denied Beirut's request to broaden the probe. (ABC)

posted by The Analyst @ 1:07 AM