Hariri probe 'progress on motive'

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The chief investigator into the death of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri has said his inquiry is making progress on a possible motive on his killing.

In his latest interim report to the UN Security Council, Serge Brammertz said he had obtained promising new evidence.

He said his inquiry was focussing on political motives, such as trying to affect the outcome of 2005 elections.

The investigation has so far implicated Syrian intelligence officials, although Damascus has denied any involvement.

The Lebanese have already arrested four pro-Syrian generals in relation to the case. They also maintain their innocence.

Mr Hariri had not formally launched his parliamentary election campaign when he was killed in February 2005, but had been perceived as the likely winner, Mr Brammertz said.

Mr Brammertz, 44, is a former deputy prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and before that was federal prosecutor in his native Belgium.