Syria sanctions 'not ruled out'

BBC ^ | 10/24/05

[Valin]

Tony Blair has refused to rule out imposing sanctions against Syria over the assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister. A United Nations report has suggested Syrian involvement in the death of Rafik Hariri in February. Mr Blair said there could be no more serious crime than trying to destroy the democracy of another country.

Asked on Sky News about sanctions, he said: "I don't think you rule anything out in going forward." 'Must be dealt with' Mr Blair added that the assassination was a "very, very serious issue".

"If there is any implication at all, as indeed there is in this report, that there were figures of authority in the Syrian government who were involved, then it has to be dealt with. "Any implication of the involvement of Syria or any other country is something the international community has got to treat with the most fundamental seriousness and gravity because it calls into question the whole of our relationship not just with that country - but our ability to make sure the rule of law is enforced internationally."

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw denounced Syria's alleged involvement in the assassination of Mr Hariri as "intolerable". Giving evidence to the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr Straw said that the United Nations would now have to decide what action to take against the regime in Damascus.

Last week, a UN report said many leads in the investigation into the death of Mr Hariri pointed to the direct involvement of Syrian officials. They had also found evidence of Lebanese collusion. The report, prepared at the request of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, said the car bombing had been carried out by a group with extensive organisation.

Both Syria and Lebanon have denied the allegations of official involvement.