U.N. asks to meet Syrian president

DAMASCUS, Syria, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A United Nations panel investigating the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri wants to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The request followed the expulsion by the governing Baath Party in Syria of the former Syrian vice-president, Abdul Halim Khaddam, the BBC said.

Khaddam alleged that Syrian leaders threatened Hariri before his assassination last February.

The U.N. panel also wants to interview Khaddam and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq Shara.

Syria has denied making any threats against Hariri.

The U.N. investigation into the Feb. 14, 2005 assassination already has implicated Syrian officials. Damascus has strongly denied any involvement.