UN inquiry looks at new suspects in Hariri killing

A special UN commission investigating the killing of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri reported that it has uncovered fresh evidence that could lead to more suspects in the three-year-old assassination case.

Hariri's killing in February 2005 led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops after a nearly 30-year presence. "The commission reports that it has acquired new information that may allow it to link additional individuals to the network that carried out the assassination," the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, wrote to the Security Council. The commission, according to its report submitted by Mr Ban to the 15-nation council, did not specify what the evidence was but says it now wants its mandate extended through February to continue its investigation. Mr Ban also said that he expects the international tribunal which will prosecute suspects in the assassination to begin operating on 1 March.