On 31 October 2005, the Security Council of the United Nations adopted Resolution 1636 (2005) noting the conclusion of the report of the International Investigation Commission into the 14 February 2005 terrorist bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed 23 people, including former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, and caused injury to dozens of people.

The Security Council noted with extreme concern the International Investigation Commission’s conclusion that there is converging evidence pointing at the involvement of both Lebanese and Syrian officials in this terrorist act, and acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, decided, as a step to assist in the investigation of this crime and without prejudice to the ultimate judicial determination of the guilt or innocence of any individual, to impose measures against all individuals suspected of involvement in the planning, sponsoring, organizing or perpetrating of this terrorist act.

Common Position 2005/888/CFSP provides for implementation of the measures set out in UNSCR 1636 (2005) and, in particular, the freezing of funds and economic resources of persons registered by the Committee of the Security Council established by paragraph 3(b) of UNSCR 1636 (2005) as suspected of involvement in the planning, sponsoring, organising or perpetrating of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and others on 14 February 2005.

These measures fall within the scope of the Treaty and, therefore, notably with a view to ensuring their uniform application by economic operators in all Member States, Community legislation is necessary to implement them as far as the Community is concerned.

For reasons of expediency, the Commission should be empowered to amend the Annexes to this Regulation, on the basis of notification or information by the relevant Sanctions Committee and Member States, as appropriate.

Member States should determine the penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation. The penalties provided for should be proportionate, effective and dissuasive.

In order to ensure that the measures provided for in this Regulation are effective, it should enter into force on the day of its publication,