UN Expected to Pass Measure Pressuring Syria

NYT: “The resolution threatens Syria with economic penalties if it does not give full cooperation to the United Nations investigation that has identified high-ranking security officials as suspects in the assassination of a former Lebanese prime minister, Rafik Hariri. The measure also orders Syria to take into custody and make available to the investigators people they suspect of involvement in the killing.”

Update: “Key U.N. Security Council members dropped the threat of sanctions against Syria on Monday in a last-minute effort to get all 15 nations to back a resolution demanding that Damascus cooperate with an investigation into the assassination of Lebanon’s former prime minister…. U.S. Ambassador John Bolton told reporters that foreign ministers of the five permanent veto-wielding nations agreed to the changes because of “the prospect of getting a near unanimous vote in the council.” Despite the changes, he said, “it’s going to be unmistakably a clear message” and “a strong resolution.” – AP