U.N. Pressures Syria On Assassination Probe

Charaa said it was unfair for Mehlis to blame Syria by concluding that such a complex terrorist operation could not have been undertaken without the knowledge of Syrian officials. He cited major terrorist attacks, including the Sept. 11, 2001, strike against the United States, to show that terrorist groups have carried out difficult clandestine operations on their own. "This means that all security forces in all countries of the world that have . . . suffered terrorist events may be implicated in such crimes."

The council's unanimity Monday papered over differences that are likely to resurface if the U.S. makes a fresh push for sanctions in the coming months, U.N. diplomats said.

Russia, China and Algeria remain staunchly opposed to sanctioning Damascus, calling it premature to consider punitive measures before the U.N. investigation is concluded and suspects have been convicted of a crime -- which could take years. Ministers from these countries made it clear that any decision to impose sanctions on the government of Syria would require another decision by the Security Council, where both Russia and China wield veto power.

Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said that the resolution was "not ideal" but that it underscored the council's commitment to holding Hariri's killers accountable. Algeria's foreign minister, Mohammed Bedjaoui, cautioned against "brandishing the hasty threat of sanctions" before anyone is found guilty. He urged the council to consider Syria "part of the solution and not a part of the problem."

Still, the unanimous vote was a "real eye-opener" that will catch attention throughout the Middle East, said Rami Khouri, a leading Arab commentator and editor of Lebanon's Daily Star. "This will cement the view that the Syrians are really now alone, unable to play powers off each other."

Under the new resolution, the Syrian regime is required to detain Syrian officials or individuals implicated by the U.N. investigation in the Hariri assassination. The probe has already named Assad's brother, Maher Assad, and brother-in-law, Asef Shawkat, as central suspects in a complicated plot.

Mehlis is also empowered to notify the Security Council before the Dec. 15 due date of his final report if Syria or other parties fail to cooperate. An allegation of Syrian obstruction by Mehlis could trigger tougher action by the council, including possible economic sanctions, officials said.

Adding to the pressure, Syria faces the possibility of a second resolution to follow up on a U.N. report last week concluding that Syria is not fully complying with Resolution 1559, which sought to end three decades of Syrian domination of Lebanon. The resolution, adopted last year, required Damascus to withdraw all military and intelligence forces from the country.

Wright reported from Washington.