PARIS - The head of a UN probe into the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri has named the head of the presidential guard, Mustafa Hamdan, as a suspect in the case, in an interview published Wednesday.

"On the basis of evidence gathered, we have a suspect, Mustafa Hamdan," Detlev Mehlis told the French newspaper Le Figaro.

"He was one of the first persons questioned because we had information that he is the one of those who gave orders to change the scene of the crime, just after the attack. Why was this cleaned up? Deliberately? Through negligence? Both? I have quite a clear idea. But we are still in an investigation stage. I can't tell you any more."

Hariri, a five-time premier, and 19 other people were killed in a massive February 14 explosion on the Beirut seafront. The murder threw the country into political turmoil and forced the withdrawal of Syrian troops in April.

Opposition figures in Lebanon accused elements within the Syrian regime of being behind the Hariri assassination and the killings of an anti-Damascus politician and journalist last month, something Syria denies.

The UN commission of inquiry was ordered after a fact-finding mission found major flaws in Lebanon's own probe.

The UN investigators on June 21 searched the office and home of Hamdam, who remains in his post, and took him in for questioning.

"We have searched his (Hamdan's) home and his office. We have questioned him for more than nine hours. He has cooperated," said Mehlis.

He said UN team would also "very soon" question Rostom Ghazale, the head of Syrian intelligence services in Lebanon at the time of the attack.

"Consequently, as we have said since the start of our mission, any person concerned with security in Lebanon at the time must be questioned."

The former head of general security in Lebanon, General Jamil Sayyed, was also questioned by the UN investigators on July 6.

Mehlis also said his team had also received "good information" on the case from Israeli authorities.

The news comes as Hariri protege and prime minister-designate Fuad Siniora announced Tuesday formation of a government following parliamentary elections last month that brought the anti-Syrian opposition to power. One of his tasks will be to oversee the continuing investigation.

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