Rice, Straw for action over Hariri killing

In a joint interview with BBC Television, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw ratcheted up pressure on Damascus, saying the report implicated senior Syrian figures in the assassination and indicated attempts at a cover-up.

"I am quite sure that when the international community gets together we will decide what to do but it can't be ... just left lying on the table," Rice said.

"This really has to be dealt with.

"There is ... the very strong implication that Syria was involved somehow in the assassination of former prime minister Hariri. So these are very serious charges," Rice said.

Washington is working to arrange a quick high-level UN Security Council meeting to consider a response to the investigation by chief UN investigator Detlev Mehlis.

Straw, who has been touring Alabama with Rice, said: "The report indicates that people of a high level of this Syrian regime were implicated. We also have evidence from the Mehlis report of false testimony being given by senior people in the regime. This is very serious."

On Friday, Straw said UN Security Council members would consider sanctions, but acknowledged the West had to work to win support from all members for its pressure on Damascus.