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Hariri: 'Evidence of fresh plot' | Hariri: 'Evidence of fresh plot' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Lebanon's parliamentary majority leader says he has evidence about a plot to assassinate him and the prime minister. | Lebanon's parliamentary majority leader says he has evidence about a plot to assassinate him and the prime minister. |
Saad Hariri did not say how detailed it was, but he called it reliable and indicated Syria was behind the plot. | |
There was no immediate comment by the Syrian authorities, who have repeatedly denied involvement in killing a string of anti-Syrians in Lebanon since 2005. | There was no immediate comment by the Syrian authorities, who have repeatedly denied involvement in killing a string of anti-Syrians in Lebanon since 2005. |
The killings have exacerbated tensions between the pro-West governing alliance and opposition groups supporting Syria. | The killings have exacerbated tensions between the pro-West governing alliance and opposition groups supporting Syria. |
The two sides remain deadlocked over plans for electing a new Lebanese president - a process that is supposed to be completed next month. | The two sides remain deadlocked over plans for electing a new Lebanese president - a process that is supposed to be completed next month. |
Investigations | Investigations |
Mr Hariri was asked about reports that a plot existed, allegedly involving Syrian military intelligence chief Asef Shawkat. | Mr Hariri was asked about reports that a plot existed, allegedly involving Syrian military intelligence chief Asef Shawkat. |
Answering, he refused to deny the accusation, saying: "We have information about this, and we're following up on it." | Answering, he refused to deny the accusation, saying: "We have information about this, and we're following up on it." |
The AFP news agency reported that an official in Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's office knew of the reported plot and said they were investigating. | The AFP news agency reported that an official in Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's office knew of the reported plot and said they were investigating. |
Last month, six people were killed in a Beirut car bombing including anti-Syrian MP Antoine Ghanem, days before parliament was supposed to choose the next president. | Last month, six people were killed in a Beirut car bombing including anti-Syrian MP Antoine Ghanem, days before parliament was supposed to choose the next president. |
Members of the ruling coalition are in hiding amid the threat of further assassinations, with cabinet ministers staying in Mr Siniora's compound. | Members of the ruling coalition are in hiding amid the threat of further assassinations, with cabinet ministers staying in Mr Siniora's compound. |
Syria has brushed off allegations by anti-Syrian Lebanese and others that it has been behind a string of assassinations starting with ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri - Saad Hariri's father - in February 2005. | Syria has brushed off allegations by anti-Syrian Lebanese and others that it has been behind a string of assassinations starting with ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri - Saad Hariri's father - in February 2005. |
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