               United Nations                                                                  S/RES/1644 (2005)
               Security Council                                                Distr.: General
                                                                               15 December 2005




               Resolution 1644 (2005)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 5329th meeting, on
               15 December 2005

                    The Security Council,
                    Reaffirming all its previous relevant resolutions, including resolutions 1595
               (2005) of 7 April 2005, 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001, and 1566 (2004) of
               8 October 2004, and reaffirming in particular resolution 1636 (2005) of 31 October
               2005,
                     Reaffirming its strongest condemnation of the 14 February 2005 terrorist
               bombing, as well as of all other terrorist attacks in Lebanon since October 2004, and
               reaffirming also that all those involved in these attacks must be held accountable for
               their crimes,
                     Having examined carefully the report of the International Independent
               Investigation Commission (S/2005/775) (“the Commission”) concerning its
               investigation into the 14 February 2005 terrorist bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, that
               killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others, and caused injury
               to dozens of people,
                     Commending the Commission for the outstanding professional work it has
               accomplished under difficult circumstances in assisting the Lebanese authorities in
               their investigation of this terrorist act, and commending in particular Detlev Mehlis
               for his leadership in the discharge of his duties as the Head of the Commission and
               for his dedication to the cause of justice,
                    Reiterating its call upon all States to extend to the Lebanese authorities and to
               the Commission the assistance they may need and request in connection with the
               inquiry, and in particular to provide them with all relevant information they may
               possess pertaining to this terrorist attack,
                     Acknowledging the letter of the Prime Minister of Lebanon to the Secretary-General of 5 December 2005 (S/2005/762) requesting that the mandate of the
               Commission be extended for a further period of six months, with a possibility of an
               additional extension as necessary, to enable the Commission to continue to assist the
               competent Lebanese authorities in the ongoing investigations of the crime, and to
               explore possible follow-up measures in order to bring the perpetrators of the said
               crime to justice, and acknowledging also the concurrent recommendation of the
               Commission in that regard,

05-64720 (E)
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S/RES/1644 (2005)


                     Acknowledging also the letter of the Prime Minister of Lebanon to the
               Secretary-General of 13 December 2005 (S/2005/783) requesting the establishment
               of a tribunal of an international character to try all those who are found responsible
               for this terrorist crime and requesting also that the mandate of the Commission be
               expanded or that another international investigation Commission be created, to
               investigate the terrorist attacks that took place in Lebanon since 1 October 2004,
                     Noting that Syrian authorities made available Syrian officials for questioning,
               but deeply concerned at the Commission’s assessment of Syrian performance to
               date, and noting that the Commission is still awaiting the provision of other
               requested materials from Syrian authorities,
                    Reaffirming its determination that this terrorist act and its implications
               constitute a threat to international peace and security,
                    Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
                    1.    Welcomes the report of the Commission;
                     2.   Decides, as recommended by the Commission and requested by the
               Lebanese Government, to extend the mandate of the Commission, as set forth in
               resolutions 1595 (2005) and 1636 (2005), initially until 15 June 2006;
                    3.    Takes note with satisfaction of the progress of the inquiry achieved since
               the Commission’s last report to the Council, and notes with extreme concern that,
               while the inquiry is not yet complete, it confirms its previous conclusions and that
               the Syrian Government has yet to provide the Commission with the full and
               unconditional cooperation demanded in resolution 1636 (2005);
                     4.     Underscores Syria’s obligation and commitment to cooperate fully and
               unconditionally with the Commission, and specifically demands that Syria responds
               unambiguously and immediately in those areas adduced by the Commissioner and
               also that it implements without delay any future request of the Commission;
                     5.   Requests the Commission to report to the Council on the progress of the
               inquiry every three months from the adoption of this resolution, including on the
               cooperation received from the Syrian authorities, or anytime before that date if the
               Commission deems that such cooperation does not meet the requirements of this
               resolution and of resolutions 1595 and 1636;
                     6.   Acknowledges the Lebanese Government’s request that those eventually
               charged with involvement in this terrorist attack be tried by a tribunal of an
               international character, requests the Secretary-General to help the Lebanese
               Government identify the nature and scope of the international assistance needed in
               this regard, and requests also the Secretary-General to report to the Council in a
               timely manner;
                     7.    Authorizes the Commission, following the request of the Lebanese
               Government, to extend its technical assistance as appropriate to the Lebanese
               authorities with regard to their investigations on the terrorist attacks perpetrated in
               Lebanon since 1 October 2004, and requests the Secretary-General in consultations
               with the Commission and the Lebanese Government to present recommendations to
               expand the mandate of the Commission to include investigations of those other
               attacks;




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                                                                              S/RES/1644 (2005)


      8.   Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide the Commission
with the support and resources necessary for the discharge of its duties;
     9.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.




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