Lebanon has indicated it is prepared to co-operate with an international inquiry into last month's killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The move follows a UN report which described Lebanon's own investigation into the bomb attack in Beirut as flawed and inconclusive. Lebanese authorities criticised the report's findings, saying they were "alien to reality". And they insisted that any inquiry would have to work with the government. At a press conference on Friday, Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud said the inquiry would be expected to work within an established framework "in co-operation with the state".

By NICK WADHAMS, Associated Press Writer UNITED NATIONS - A U.N. report into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri concluded that Lebanon's probe of the killing was riddled with flaws and an international investigation is needed.  The report, released Thursday, does not directly assign blame, saying the causes could not be determined. But it says Syrian military intelligence shares responsibility to the extent that it and Lebanese security services failed to provide "security, protection, law and order" in Lebanon. The report says there was a "distinct lack of commitment" by Lebanese authorities to investigate the crime, and the probe was not carried out "in accordance with acceptable international standards."

By BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press Writer JOUNIEH, Lebanon - Just hours after a bomb killed three people and heavily damaged a shopping mall in Lebanon's Christian heartland, defiant residents unfurled a giant Lebanese flag on the wrecked building, and shop owners began working to reopen their stores. The Lebanese people will not kneel. An explosion causes damage but we will repair," Raymond Muhanna said as he stood amid shattered glass in the electrical appliances shop where he works. "This will not destroy the Lebanese people." Yet many Lebanese clearly are worried about where and when the next explosion will come