BEIRUT, Lebanon - Lebanon denied Syrian claims that dozens of Syrian workers have been killed in revenge after the Feb. 14 assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri.

Internal security chief, Maj. Gen. Ashraf Reefi said in a local television program Friday night that 17 workers died in Lebanon after the assassination, mostly for natural causes and in road accidents.

"According to police records, 17 Syrian workers died during that period, some committed suicide, and others were killed by compatriots during arguments or in car accidents, and three were killed in the explosion that killed premier Hariri," Reefi said.

He said only two are believed to have been killed in revenge attacks, one was stabbed in Beirut, and another shot in the town of Bhamdoun in Mount Lebanon.

Syria claimed last week that as many as 37 of its workers in Lebanon were killed in revenge after Hariri's assassination, which was blamed on Syria and its allies in Lebanon.

The Syrian government also claimed compensation of the alleged killing if its workers. (UPI)