BEIRUT, March 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud said Friday that his country rejects a UN report accusing it of lack of commitment to investigate the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

    At a joint press conference with Lebanon's Justice Minister Adnan Addoum, the foreign minister said that the UN report has exceeded its authority.

    "The (UN) mission had no authority to allow it to reach these conclusions," he said. "We see this as infringement on the role of the Lebanese government."

    Hamoud also accused the UN mission of "harming the role of the Lebanese state."

    A UN report into Hariri's killing said that an independent,international investigation is need.    

    The report was sharply critical of Syria and the Lebanese government, saying they should bear the primary responsibility for the lack of security, protection, law and order in Lebanon.

    The report, issued Thursday in the UN headquarters in New York,indicated that there was a "distinct lack of commitment" by Lebanese authorities to probe the crime, and the investigation was not carried out "in accordance with acceptable international standards." Enditem