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Mehlis quits, but has 'important evidence'

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Detlev Mehlis, the chief investigator into the slaying of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, said he was resigning from the U.N. mission.

Speaking Friday at a luncheon hosted in his honor by Justice Minister Charles Rizk, the German prosecutor said he will oversee the work of the international inquiry until his successor takes over, stressing he has "important evidence" in hand.

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Mehlis' decision to quit took the permanent members of the Security Council by surprise. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said he feared the move might disrupt the investigation into Hariri's Feb. 14 assassination and diminish its momentum, especially with regard to resolution 1363.

Mehlis, who submitted a report on the progress of the inquiry in October, named several Syrian security officials as suspects. Subsequent resolution 1363 called on Syria to cooperate fully with the investigation or face possible "further action," in a possible allusion to economic sanctions.

Mehlis said Friday he was satisfied with the results of his investigation and that he possessed "important evidence" which he will probably include in the report he is expected to present to the Security Council on Dec. 12.

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He said claims made by Syrian witness Hassam Taher Hassam that he made false testimony under pressure, incriminating Syrian officials, did not affect the investigation.

Hassam Hassam claimed he was pressured and bribed to make false testimony accusing Syrian officials of Hariri's assassination.

Mehlis refused to reveal anything about his upcoming report to the Security Council, but said he will explain the content to the Security Council, especially regarding his evaluation of Syrian cooperation.

The inquiry interviewed five Syrian officials at the U.N. seat in Vienna this week after reaching a compromise with Mehlis who originally wanted to interview them at his headquarters in Lebanon.

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