Hariri: 'Evidence of fresh plot'

Mr Hariri says the information is being followed up

Lebanon's parliamentary majority leader says he has evidence about a plot to assassinate him and the prime minister.

Saad Hariri did not say how detailed it was, but he called it reliable and indicated Syria was behind the plot.

There was no immediate comment by the Syrian authorities, who have repeatedly denied involvement in killing a string of anti-Syrians in Lebanon since 2005.

The killings have exacerbated tensions between the pro-West governing alliance and opposition groups supporting Syria.

The two sides remain deadlocked over plans for electing a new Lebanese president - a process that is supposed to be completed next month.

Investigations

Mr Hariri was asked about reports that a plot existed, allegedly involving Syrian military intelligence chief Asef Shawkat.

Answering, he refused to deny the accusation, saying: "We have information about this, and we're following up on it."

The AFP news agency reported that an official in Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's office knew of the reported plot and said they were investigating.

Last month, six people were killed in a Beirut car bombing including anti-Syrian MP Antoine Ghanem, days before parliament was supposed to choose the next president.

Members of the ruling coalition are in hiding amid the threat of further assassinations, with cabinet ministers staying in Mr Siniora's compound.

Syria has brushed off allegations by anti-Syrian Lebanese and others that it has been behind a string of assassinations starting with ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri - Saad Hariri's father - in February 2005.