U.N. Gumshoes Hot On Hariri Case

We've been following the U.N.'s crack investigation into the assassination of former Lebanon premier Rafik Hariri ... about how it took quite some time to decide how to approach the investigation, then another three months to get their man chosen, briefed and on the ground.

We may have been a bit skeptical. We may have thought this would be just another overblown and underwhelming performance by Big Baby Blue. If so, we apologize, because news reports say the investigation is bearing fruit:

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - A German prosecutor leading a U.N.-mandated investigation into the February assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri confirmed Friday that a truck bomb caused the explosion that killed Hariri.

Detlev Mehlis told a news conference that the explosion was ``without any reasonable doubt above the ground.''

Without any reasonable doubt, we're impressed. We're just not saying right now whether we're positively or negatively impressed.

h/t Best of the Web

Update: From today's UN press briefing, here's the spokesperson:

By the next few days, [Mehlis] said he will have staff from over 20 countries. He said that all his staff share one goal, and that is to uncover the truth.

There you have it: Overstaffed, underachieving, but international. The perfect UN operation. (Note: A staff representing over 20 countries has a minimum of over 20 employees.)

See Also:
UN Probe of Hariri Killing Begins!