The US has accused Syria of blocking the United Nations (UN) inquiry into the killing of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri and is threatening UN Security Council action against it. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Syria is creating an "atmosphere of fear" in Lebanon to maintain its influence. "The United States has grave and continuing concerns about Syria's destabilising behaviour and sponsorship of terrorism," she said. Ms Rice says Syria has failed to implement five Security Council resolutions over the assassination of Mr Hariri in February 2005. "Syria must cease obstructing the investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Hariri and instead cooperate fully and unconditionally, as required by UN Security Council resolutions," she said. "We call upon the Syrian regime to respond positively to the requests of the UN Independent International Investigation. We intend to refer this matter back to the Security Council if Syrian obstruction continues."
Ms Rice has also reaffirmed calls for the implementation of UN Resolution 1559, which includes the disarmament and disbanding of Hezbollah and other militias. "Syria's continuing provision of arms and other support to Hezbollah and Palestinian terrorist groups serves to destabilise Lebanon, makes possible terrorist attacks within Lebanon from Lebanese territory and impedes the full implementation of Security Council resolutions," she said. She says assassinations of Lebanese opponents of Syrian domination, including journalist and former MP Gebran Tueni, create "an atmosphere of fear that Syria uses to intimidate Lebanon"