US blocks Hariri suspects' assets

A massive car bomb targeted Mr Hariri's motorcade in Beirut

US President George W Bush has ordered a freeze on the assets of anyone linked to the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri.

The order called for the assets to be blocked of anyone linked to the Hariri killing - or to "terrorist acts" in Lebanon in which Syria is implicated.

Mr Bush said the order was based on UN findings against Lebanon and Syria.

A UN probe has implicated top Syrian officials and their Lebanese allies in the February 2005 attack on Mr Hariri.

Syria has denied it was involved in the massive bomb blast that killed the former Lebanese leader as his motorcade was passing the seafront in Beirut.

His death prompted street protests and international pressure on Damascus to withdraw the troops it had stationed in Lebanon for nearly three decades.

Elections held after Syria withdrew its forces brought to power a coalition of parties campaigning for an end to Damascus' influence in Lebanon.

'UN evidence'

The US order for the freezing of assets did not name any suspects in the Hariri killing.

President Bush's executive order said the move would affect anyone "involved in planning, sponsoring, organising, or perpetrating the terrorist act in Beirut, Lebanon.. related to Hariri's assassination".

He said additional steps were being taken "concerning certain actions of the government of Syria".

The president said his order took into account evidence published by the UN "pointing to both Lebanese and Syrian involvement in terrorist acts".

Mr Hariri's death was followed by a wave of bombings targeting prominent opponents of Syrian influence in Lebanon.

Syria has been accused by the UN of not fully co-operating with the inquiry into Mr Hariri's assassination.