Trio circulate revised draft on Syria

The new version, of which AFP obtained a copy, still threatens Damascus with economic and diplomatic sanctions if it does not fully cooperate with the probe, but tones down some of the language and certain punitive measures, the application of which would now be overseen by a special committee.

Experts from the 15-member UN Security Council met Thursday to reconcile strong differences about a Franco-US draft resolution, co-sponsored by Britain and presented on Wednesday, that calls for sanctions against Syrians implicated in the slaying of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri last February.

A report by the United Nations chief investigator, German prosecutor Detlev Mehlis, released last week concluded that senior Syrian security officials organised the killing with the help of their allies in Lebanese security.

The council delegates were racing against time to secure a text with broad support that could be presented at a ministerial session tentatively scheduled here for Monday.

Most council members said their foreign ministers planned to attend Monday's meeting, which was called by the United States.

Initial disagreement focused on a paragraph in the original text that contained an implicit threat of economic or diplomatic sanctions under article 41 of the UN Charter.

According to the earlier draft, the Security Council "expresses its intention to consider further measures pursuant to article 41 of the (UN) Charter, if needed to ensure compliance by Syria."