The Syrian Kabuki Dance

The United Nations has finally acted on Syria. A Security Council resolution was passed that demands that Syria comply.

Monsters and Critics analyzes the Syrian response to the UN Security Council decision:

In a ministerial-level meeting the panel called for Syria to cooperate fully and unconditionally with the commission in its continuing investigation, insisted it not interfere in Lebanese affairs and decided all individuals suspected by the commission or the government of Lebanon of involvement in the slaying be subject to travel restrictions and freezing of assets.

It also endorsed the commission`s conclusion that Syrian authorities must clarify a number of questions which remained unresolved and detain Syrian officials or individuals the commission considers suspects.

The commission is to report back Dec. 15, or earlier, on the investigation`s progress and Syria`s cooperation.

Speaking after the vote, the sponsors of the resolution -- Britain, France and the United States -- emphasized the importance of bringing to justice those responsible for what was called a 'heinous act.'

It was for Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara to respond.

He said the resolution repeated nearly verbatim accusations leveled in the commission`s report, delivered earlier in October. But al-Shara said the measure neglected to carry a presumption of innocence and it hampered the search for the true perpetrator.

Let's see just how tough the UN is, and whether they'll actually hold Syria's feet to the fire. After all, this is the UN we're talking about.