BRUSSELS - European Union chief diplomat Javier Solana on Wednesday called on Syria to play 'a constructive role' in Lebanon.

Solana was speaking in Brussels after a meeting with anti-Syrian Lebanese politician Saad Hariri.

Solana accused 'foreign powers' of trying to prevent a United Nations tribunal from investigating the February 2005 assassination of Hariri's father, former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri.

'Naturally there has been an interference by other states,' Solana said without referring to Syria by name. 'It is apparent and everyone knows this,' he added.

The Lebanese parliament has not yet approved the investigation because of disagreement between pro-Syrian and anti-Syrian politicians.

Syria is accused of being behind Hariri's assassination in a car bomb attack, but has always denied this.

Saad Hariri, leader of Lebanon's most important anti-Syrian alliance, said the fundamental approval for the UN court was 'not a political decision, but a decision for justice'.

Solana said: 'A host of EU ministers have been to Syria with a message that Syria should behave constructively.'

Action by other states in the affairs of Lebanon had to be 'positive to solve problems, and not negatives prevent solutions,' he said. -DPA