U.N.: Assad threatened Hariri physically

BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 25 (UPI) -- A U.N. inquiry has found that Syria's president threatened former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri with bodily harm shortly before his assassination.

The inquiry determined that President Bashar Assad threatened Hariri "with physical harm" over his opposition to extending the Lebanese presidency of Emil Lahoud, the Financial Times reported Friday.

The U.N. inquiry also found that Damascus bears "primary responsibility" for the political tension that preceded the Feb. 14 killing, and that while "while the current leadership of the Lebanese security services remains in office" its investigation would be stymied.

Specifically, it accused Lebanon's leaders with a "distinct lack of commitment" to investigating the killing.

Led by Peter Fitzgerald, deputy Irish police commissioner, the inquiry called for an international independent commission to find the truth.

Washington and Paris are expected to back the panel's call for a full U.N. investigation.