Syria has agreed to allow United Nations investigators to question at U.N. headquarters in Vienna five Syrian officials about the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Moallem told reporters Friday in Damascus that Syria agreed to the compromise after it received guarantees about the rights of the individuals and assurances that its sovereignty would be respected. He did not say when the interviews will take place.
A U.N. spokeswoman confirmed that a deal has been reached, and she said Secretary-General Kofi Annan expects Syria's cooperation to continue.
The compromise ends a deadlock with the United Nations, which had originally asked to interview the Syrians in Beirut.
Last month, the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution demanding that Syria cooperate with the investigation into the February assassination or face possible sanctions. Syria has denied any involvement in the killing.
Some information for this story provided by AP, AFP, and Reuters.
