Resolution 1644
(December 15, 2005)
The Security Council,
Reaffirming all its previous
relevant resolutions, including resolutions 1595 (2005)
of 7 April 2005, 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001, and
1566 (2004) of 8 October 2004, and reaffirming in particular
resolution 1636 (2005) of 31 October 2005,
Reaffirming its strongest
condemnation of the 14 February 2005 terrorist bombing,
as well as of all other terrorist attacks in Lebanon
since October 2004, and reaffirming also that all those
involved in these attacks must be held accountable for
their crimes,
Having examined carefully
the report of the International Independent Investigation
Commission (S/2005/775) ("the Commission")
concerning its investigation into the 14 February 2005
terrorist bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed former
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others,
and caused injury to dozens of people,
Commending the Commission
for the outstanding professional work it has accomplished
under difficult circumstances in assisting the Lebanese
authorities in their investigation of this terrorist
act, and commending in particular Detlev Mehlis for
his leadership in the discharge of his duties as the
Head of the Commission and for his dedication to the
cause of justice,
Reiterating its call upon
all States to extend to the Lebanese authorities and
to the Commission the assistance they may need and request
in connection with the inquiry, and in particular to
provide them with all relevant information they may
possess pertaining to this terrorist attack,
Acknowledging the letter of
the Prime Minister of Lebanon to the Secretary-General
of 5 December 2005 (S/2005/762) requesting that the
mandate of the Commission be extended for a further
period of six months, with a possibility of an additional
extension as necessary, to enable the Commission to
continue to assist the competent Lebanese authorities
in the ongoing investigations of the crime, and to explore
possible follow-up measures in order to bring the perpetrators
of the said crime to justice, and acknowledging also
the concurrent recommendation of the Commission in that
regard,
Acknowledging also the letter
of the Prime Minister of Lebanon to the Secretary-General
of 13 December 2005 (S/2005/783) requesting the establishment
of a tribunal of an international character to try all
those who are found responsible for this terrorist crime
and requesting also that the mandate of the Commission
be expanded or that another international investigation
Commission be created, to investigate the terrorist
attacks that took place in Lebanon since 1 October 2004,
Noting that Syrian authorities
made available Syrian officials for questioning, but
deeply concerned at the Commission's assessment of Syrian
performance to date, and noting that the Commission
is still awaiting the provision of other requested materials
from Syrian authorities,
Reaffirming its determination
that this terrorist act and its implications constitute
a threat to international peace and security,
Acting under Chapter VII of
the Charter of the United Nations,
1. Welcomes the report of
the Commission;
2. Decides, as recommended
by the Commission and requested by the Lebanese Government,
to extend the mandate of the Commission, as set forth
in resolutions 1595 (2005) and 1636 (2005), initially
until 15 June 2006;
3. Takes note with satisfaction
of the progress of the inquiry achieved since the Commission's
last report to the Council, and notes with extreme concern
that, while the inquiry is not yet complete, it confirms
its previous conclusions and that the Syrian Government
has yet to provide the Commission with the full and
unconditional cooperation demanded in resolution 1636
(2005);
4. Underscores Syria's obligation
and commitment to cooperate fully and unconditionally
with the Commission, and specifically demands that Syria
responds unambiguously and immediately in those areas
adduced by the Commissioner and also that it implements
without delay any future request of the Commission;
5. Requests the Commission
to report to the Council on the progress of the inquiry
every three months from the adoption of this resolution,
including on the cooperation received from the Syrian
authorities, or anytime before that date if the Commission
deems that such cooperation does not meet the requirements
of this resolution and of resolutions 1595 and 1636;
6. Acknowledges the Lebanese
Government's request that those eventually charged with
involvement in this terrorist attack be tried by a tribunal
of an international character, requests the Secretary-General
to help the Lebanese Government identify the nature
and scope of the international assistance needed in
this regard, and requests also the Secretary-General
to report to the Council in a timely manner;
7. Authorizes the Commission,
following the request of the Lebanese Government, to
extend its technical assistance as appropriate to the
Lebanese authorities with regard to their investigations
on the terrorist attacks perpetrated in Lebanon since
1 October 2004, and requests the Secretary-General in
consultations with the Commission and the Lebanese Government
to present recommendations to expand the mandate of
the Commission to include investigations of those other
attacks;
8. Requests the Secretary-General
to continue to provide the Commission with the support
and resources necessary for the discharge of its duties;
9. Decides to remain seized
of the matter.
Sources: The United Nations |