UN diplomats have begun talks on a new draft Security Council resolution to set up an international inquiry into last month's assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri.

The draft, backed by Britain, France and the United States, calls for the "full cooperation of Lebanese authorities" with an investigation commission to be set up by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

It calls al-Hariri's killing a "terrorist act" and authorises the commission to collect any additional evidence and information in Lebanon.

A UN fact-finding report last week pointed the finger at neighbouring Syria for the 14 February killing of al-Hariri.

Among other charges, the report said Syrian President Bashar al-Asad had threatened physical harm against al-Hariri over his opposition to Damascus, and it called for an international investigation.

It also said the Lebanese probe into the massive bomb blast that killed al-Hariri had been flawed.

Damascus says it had nothing to do with al-Hariri’s killing and accuses its political opponents of opportunism.

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