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U.N.: New leads in Hariri probe

From CNN's Liz Neisloss

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UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- A "considerable number of new leads" have emerged in the investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, according to the latest report released Monday by a commission of U.N.-appointed investigators.

While the report does not detail the new leads, it says they are related to the crime scene of the bomb blast that killed Hariri and 22 others as his motorcade drove through a Beirut street on February 14, 2005, and the "immediate perpetration of the crime."

The report says investigative work is under way on the new leads, which are characterized as "the circumstances surrounding particular individuals and vehicles at the crime scene before, during and in the immediate aftermath of the explosion" as well as "allegations of tampering with the crime scene after the explosion."

The report also says the investigative commission is "pursuing leads" on individuals "who knew something about the forthcoming attack" and those who knew something and "somehow tried to deliver a warning to Hariri or a person close to him."

Evidence has emerged, the report says, that Hariri -- an outspoken critic of Syrian involvement in Lebanon -- was himself aware of a "heightened threat" against him and that he discussed this "at length" with individuals.

The report calls this "an important aspect of its work."

Previous U.N. reports have cited evidence that President Bashar al-Assad of Syria had personally threatened Hariri.

An earlier U.N. investigative report also implicated Syrians, including Syria's military intelligence chief and al-Assad's brother-in-law. Syria has denied involvement in Hariri's murder.

The United States has suggested that the government of Syria is behind the Hariri murder as well as that of 14 others who were also outspoken against Syrian involvement in Lebanon.

While the latest report makes no direct assertion of Syrian involvement, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton told reporters Monday, "There is a principle theory that's been advanced in prior reports about where the order for this assassination came from" that remains consistent with the latest report.

The latest report says recent findings regarding the investigation into the 14 other cases have "strengthened its preliminary conclusion" that the cases are connected and that there is growing evidence that may link the cases.

Bolton called the linking of the cases "quite significant."

Syria had been previously accused of obstructing the investigation but is described in the current report as "generally satisfactory" in its cooperation.

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