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Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/22/AR2005092202077.html
Syria Seeking Deal In UN Hariri Probe, Investigation into Killing Deepens
(Washington Post) Robin Wright - Syria is trying to negotiate a deal to prevent punitive action by the UN if, as is widely expected, the Damascus government is linked to the Feb. 14 assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister Rafiq Hariri, according to U.S. and European officials. Over the past month, the government of President Assad has been inquiring about the potential for a deal, roughly equivalent to what Libyan leader Gaddafi did to end tough international sanctions. A U.S. official familiar with the overtures said Detlev Mehlis, the chief UN investigator, has taken the investigation far deeper, far faster than initially expected and "is coming up with stuff that is making people in Damascus nervous." The investigation has been facilitated by an unexpected flow of information from Lebanese security sources as well as at least two well-placed Syrian officials. Some have been moved to Europe, the sources said.