DAMASCUS, Syria, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Syria hopes the U.N. inquiry into Rafik Hariri's killing will be more objective under new chief investigator Serge Brammertz.
An informed Syrian official told United Press International Thursday Damascus hopes the Belgian prosecutor with the International Criminal Court will review the work of his predecessor, Detlev Mehlis of Germany, especially the testimony of witnesses who are said to have made false statements.
The source charged that certain parties might be trying to prolong the investigation into the former Lebanese prime minister's Feb. 14 assassination and deviate it from the right path.
"If he (Brammertz) wants to work properly, he should review the criticisms that were directed to the report made by his predecessor and re-inspect the scene of the crime," said the official.
"Syria also hopes the new chief investigator will review the testimonies of all witnesses especially those who reneged their statements such as Hussam Hussam and Zuheir Saddik, and find out why they did so" the official said.
Syria has repeatedly criticized the U.N.-commissioned investigators who it said were seeking to politicize the investigation at the behest of international parties, in an apparent reference to the United States and France. The inquiry named several Syrian security officials as suspects.
Syria also rejected the panel's request to listen to the testimony of Syrian President Bashar Assad and his foreign minister, Farouk Sharaa.
In a related development, former Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam reiterated Thursday accusations that Assad personally ordered Hariri's assassination.
He told France's Europe 1 radio station on Tuesday he is fully convinced Assad ordered Hariri's physical liquidation.
Khaddam, who has been living in France for more than six months, made news earlier this month when he said Assad used to treat Hariri roughly and that he incited his assassination.
