BEIRUT, Lebanon, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Lebanon welcomed Syria's agreement with United Nations investigator Detlev Mehlis to interview Syrian officials in Vienna.
Syria announced Friday that it agreed to Mehlis' compromise proposal after receiving guarantees that five Syrian officials suspected in the slaying of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri will return home after the interviews.
A statement by Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan contacted him Friday night to inform him about the agreement which he welcomed strongly.
"The importance is to reach an understanding and secure the cooperation of the Syrian authorities, since cooperation is essential to help find the truth about the assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri," the statement quoted Siniora as saying.
The statement said the Lebanese premier "took the occasion to assure the U.N. secretary general of Lebanon's full confidence and trust in the international committee and its chief, German prosecutor Detlev Mehlis."
It said Siniora also discussed with Annan the situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border, stressing the need for U.N. assistance to ease tensions and put pressure on Israel to release Lebanese prisoners and stop its recurring violations of Lebanese sovereignty.
