US threatens to haul Syria before UNSC

The US has accused Syria of blocking the inquiry into the killing of former Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri.

The United States has threatened to refer Syria to the UN Security Council, accusing it of blocking the inquiry into the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and creating an "atmosphere of fear" in Lebanon.

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In a strongly worded statement, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed Washington's "grave and continuing concerns about Syria's destabilising behaviour and sponsorship of terrorism."

Damascus has "failed" to implement five UN Security Council resolution on the assassination of Hariri, Rice said.

"Syria must cease obstructing the investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Hariri and instead co-operate fully and unconditionally, as required by UN Security Council resolutions.

"We call upon the Syrian regime to respond positively to the requests of UN Independent International Investigation (UNIIIC). We intend to refer this matter back to the Security Council if Syrian obstruction continues," Rice said in her statement.

The State Department through the statement of Rice has also sought to reject any "deal" of sorts on the ongoing UN investigations and has made it known that it is not for relieving Syria of its obligations under various UN Council resolutions.

The senior administration official also demanded that Syria cut its links with terrorism and called for the implementation of Resolution 1559 that called for the disarmament and disbanding of the Hizbollah and other militias.