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.

PHOTO CAPTION

Syrian soldiers stand guard outside an army intelligence base at the entrance of the historic city of Baalbek, in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. (AFP)