Lebanese daily investigated for intel leak

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BEIRUT, Lebanon, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- A report on last month's assassination of Lebanon's top intelligence chief by a daily newspaper was a violation of the law, a top prosecutor said.

State Prosecutor Hatem Madi said Friday he referred Lebanese newspaper Ad-Diyar to a central investigative committee for publishing what he said was a false report on the Oct. 19 slaying of Big. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan.

Hassan was killed in a massive bombing in Beirut. Leaders from Lebanese opposition slate March 14 blamed Syria for the attack.

Ad-Diyar reported police traced cell phone data to the Arab Movement Party, which enjoys the support of Damascus. It also alleged that Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and Hezbollah may have played a role in the attack.

"False news constitutes a violation of the safety of the investigation and impedes its work," the state prosecutor was quoted by The Daily Star newspaper in Lebanon as saying.

March 14 announced this week it was boycotting the government led by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, a member of the March 8 slate that includes lawmakers from Hezbollah.