[JURIST] Syrian diplomats announced Wednesday that Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara will speak with the UN commission investigating the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri [JURIST news archive], as requested [JURIST report] by outgoing investigation head Detlev Mehlis on Monday. A Syrian official said [JURIST report] Tuesday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad [BBC profile] will refuse an interview request because the Syrian constitution provides sovereign immunity to the President in connection with all criminal investigations. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's spokesperson said during Tuesday's noon briefing [summary] that Annan expects Al-Assad to cooperate with the commission, and the US has reminded Syria of the resolution [text] passed by the UN Security Council [official website] last October threatening "further action" against Syria if the country resisted the investigation. AP has more.
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