UNITED NATIONS, March 14 (Xinhuanet) -- The latest UN report probing the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri reported progress Tuesday in identifying the circumstances of the killing.

    "The Commission has moved closer to establishing the exact circumstances and modus operandi of the blast," the report, issued by the UN International Independent Investigation Commission led by Serge Brammertz of Belgium, observed.

    The report noted that this will provide a critical link in the chain of evidence needed to identify and hold accountable those who are perpetrators, sponsors, organizers, and accomplices of the crime.

    However, the report, which is the third of its kind since the beginning of the investigation last April, did not disclose further details of its work, saying it is not appropriate at this stage.

    "This may unnecessarily threaten the security of witnesses, compromise the collection of future evidence and undermine the outcome of the investigation as a whole," it said. Enditem