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42 | Mission ReviewsUN International Independent InvestigationCommission (UNIIIC)Special Envoy, Implementation ofResolution 1559Authorization Date 7 April 2005(UNSC Res. 1595)Commissioner Daniel Bellemare (Canada)Budget$10.1 million(1 January 2009-31 December 2009)Strength as of International Civilian: 15early 2009 Local Civilian: 19For detailed mission information see p. 189Authorization Date 14 December 2004(UNSC Res. 1559)Start Date 3 January 2005Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen (Norway)Budget$0.7 million(1 January 2010-31December 2010)Strength as of International Civilian: 318 September 2009For detailed mission information see p. 171UN International Independent InvestigationCommissionIn April 2005, the UN International IndependentInvestigation Commission (UNIIIC) was establishedby Security Council Resolution 1595 to probe the 14February 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime MinisterRafik Hariri, who was killed along with 22 othersin a car bombing in Beirut. UNIIIC’s mandate was laterexpanded to include assistance to the governmentwith investigating further terrorist attacks in Lebanon.Initially conceived for a three months period, theUNIIIC continued its work until 28 February 2009.While on the technical side the UNIIIC assisted theLebanese authorities with legal, forensic and analyticalexpertise in the Hariri and the other cases, theCommission’s investigative activities over the yearshave led to arrests of key suspects. In late 2008 andearly 2009, the Commission was preparing for agradual transfer of its operations, staff and assetsto the Special Tribunal for Lebanon with the viewto complete the transition by the time the Tribunalwould take up its work on 1 March 2009.The Tribunal was established in 2007 by SecurityCouncil Resolution 1757 and is based in The Hague.It is mandated to continue to investigate and thenprosecute perpetrators of the Hariri assassinationas well as other cases that the UNIIIC assists ininvestigating if they are found to be linked to theHariri case and are of similar nature and gravity. Inits last report to the Council, the UNIIIC warned that– against high expectations in some quarters – thelaunch of the Tribunal did not mean that the investigationswere completed. In the same report theUNIIIC urged the Office of the Prosecutor to continuegathering evidence to support any indictmentsbefore the Tribunal.Team [LIBAT]) to assess border monitoring andpropose measures to improve border control.UNSCOL’s access to the highest level of theLebanese government provides another platformfor successful joint developmental and political initiatives.In terms of Palestinian and Human Rightsissues, t<strong>here</strong> has been progress in the reconstructionof the Nahr el Bared camp in 2009 as well asincreased advocacy on issues such as the right forPalestinians to work and the provision of nationalIDs. The governance working group, which ischaired by UNSCOL, is organizing the electoralforums and helping to provide technical assistanceto the May 2010 municipal elections.The semi-integrated nature of the mission canoften pose a challenge in terms of the public perceptionof UNSCOL’s role in conflict mediation.UNIFIL’s sheer size and scope with commandof upwards of 12,000 international troops on theground remains the face of the UN in Lebanonfor most Lebanese. However, Special CoordinatorWilliams is very active in media outreach, widelyrecognized and afforded access at the highest levelsof the Lebanese government. UNSCOL thusmaintains a strong reputation as fair-minded withrespect to domestic parties within Lebanon andregional counterparts.ConclusionWhile relations between the political anddevelopment sides of the aisle have notably improvedin the past two years, due mainly to the good working