Related: Prominent journalist killed in Beirut blast

US forensic experts will join hands with their French counterparts to investigate the murder of Lebanese journalist Samir Kassir. (Photo: Xinhua)

    BEIJING, June 4 -- US forensic experts will join hands with their French counterparts to investigate the murder of Lebanese journalist Samir Kassir.

   

This undated photo released by Lebanon's An-Nahar newspaper shows Lebanese journalist Samir Qassir, who was killed in a car explosion in Beirut Thursday. (Xinhua/AFP file photo)

A team of forensic experts from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation arrived Friday in Lebanon to assist investigate the murder of anti-Syrian journalist Samir Kassir. He was killed Thursday in an explosion in the Christian eastern area in Beirut.

    The team arrived after Lebanese Justice Minister Khaled Qabbani requested help from both the U.S. and France. A five-man team from France is expected to arrive Saturday.

    Both the American and French teams will meet with the Lebanese Justice Minister later Saturday.

    The surprise assistance from Washington and Paris comes from the U.S.'s criticism of Syria following Kassir's murder.

    On Firday, White House press secretary Scott McClellan called for the UN to include the murder of Kassir in their current investigation of the murdered former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri.

    Samir Kassir was a front page columnist at Lebanon's leading daily newspaper.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)