UN requests Swiss help in Hariri investigation
The United Nations has for a second time requested Switzerland’s help in investigating the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Five Swiss experts took part in the first UN inquiry in March. Hariri was killed by a car bomb in Beirut on February 14.
The foreign ministry said the request had been received on Saturday and was being considered.
“The foreign ministry will discuss this request over the next few days with the departments concerned,” a spokesman said.
The UN Security Council decided on April 7 to set up a new mission to investigate the attack, which claimed the lives of Hariri and 18 others.
The first UN inquiry, led by Irish deputy police commissioner Peter Fitzgerald, concluded that the investigation carried out by the pro-Syrian Lebanese authorities immediately after the attack had been flawed.
Many in Lebanon held Syria responsible for Hariri’s death. Opposition demonstrations and international pressure on the Lebanese government eventually forced it to resign.
Syria was also forced to withdraw its military presence from the country after almost 30 years. The last Syrian soldiers are now reported to have left Lebanon.
Expert help
Five Swiss experts, specialising in explosives, ballistics and DNA analysis took part in the Fitzgerald mission.
Switzerland turned down a Lebanese request for help four days after Hariri’s murder, saying it would only collaborate with a UN mission. On March 3 Switzerland accepted a UN offer to become involved and sent a delegation to Beirut.
The UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan, has still to appoint a head for the new mission, which is expected to comprise 50 members. Two candidates have already turned down the post.
Lebanon is due to hold parliamentary elections between May 29 and June 12. The foreign ministry spokesman said it was possible that Swiss observers would monitor the polls.
“If the European Union organises the observer mission, it is conceivable that Swiss will also take part,” he said.
swissinfo with agencies
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed on February 14 in a bomb blast that claimed 18 other lives.
On February 18 the pro-Syrian government asked Switzerland to send police experts to help in the investigation.
On February 25 Bern refused, saying the request had to come from the UN.
On March 3 Switzerland sent five experts to Beirut at the UN’s request.
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.