Brammertz 2nd UN report on Hariri murder

Belgian Serge Brammertz (44) who took over from the German Detlev Mehlis in investigating for the UN , the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri (plus 22 others) now says they were targeted by a suicide bomber.

He also makes the astonishing assumption that the team planning Hariri's assassination had him under surveillance.

He reinforces earlier suggestions that Mr Hariri was assassinated by a large white Mitsubishi truck bomb and makes the extraordinary claim that the bomber detonated about 1,800kg (3,960lb) of explosives from "either inside or directly in front of the truck."... so the truck was moving ..... or it was not.

Brammertz's report ( his 2nd and also said to be his final report) says a tooth was found at the scene and believed to belong to the bomber which had a distinctive crown, suggesting the attacker came from abroad ... or maybe not.

It says investigators found 32 pieces of what are "believed to be the bomber's remains," (Uuugggh) putting him between 20 and 25 years old.

Although Detlev Mehlis, accused Syria of obstructing his investigation ,Brammertz says that Syria's co-operation with the inquiry has been "generally satisfactory". Having been granted a 12 month extension by the Security Council in June, Brammertz ( or a successor) has plenty of time and money to root around the body parts for some more fascinating ideas.

Brammertz apparently points to a "link" between 14 explosions, assassinations and attempted assassinations that occurred in Lebanon throughout 2005 (busy time for assassins). Investigators' work "in relation to the 14 other cases ... is beginning to produce links, notably in identifying potential conjoining motives," the report said. WOW.

Though no suspects were named in the report, Brammertz said the probe "has developed direct and indirect linkages between significant individuals in disparate groups that are relevant from an investigative perspective." WTF ?... he also makes the penetrating observation ...The motives behind the crime "are apparently of varying levels of international, regional and national relevance, and relate to political, economic, financial and business matters." Well that clears that up then. Sounds like a lot of folks wanted old Rafik dead.

The Saudi daily Okaz makes astonishing claims that the report will name names ... Former (and suicidal ? ) former Syrian Interior Minister Ghazi Kenaan, Syrian President Bashar Assad's brother in law, General Assef Shawkat and Brigadier Bahjat Suleiman, the former head of the Security Department. and an Iraqi who was the suicide bomber

John Bolton, the US UN representative said this latest report (which he has seen) did not mean Syria was in the clear.

The UN Security Council is due to meet on Friday to discuss Mr Brammertz's latest findings. Discussions will be held in closed session.

See " The Ghazi Kenaan I knew was not the sort of man who would commit suicide" Robert Fisk.

Beirut Daily Star " The body of Syrian Interior Minister Ghazi Kenaan was laid to rest in his northern home town in a low-key funeral, and a state investigation confirmed that the former strongman in Lebanon committed suicide by shooting himself in the mouth. About 1,000 relatives and villagers walked behind the coffin, draped in a Syrian flag.