The Syrian government has said it is setting up a special judicial committee to investigate the alleged involvement of Syrians in the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri.
The move comes amid threats of sanctions and pressure on Damascus to step up co-operation with a UN probe after an initial report implicated top security officials in Syria in the murder.
The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution from the US, France and Britain which threatens Syria with economic and diplomatic sanctions if it does not fully co-operate with the probe.
However, holding out the threat of economic or diplomatic sanctions against the Syrian state - as opposed to individuals - remains controversial within the council and could face opposition from Algeria, China and Russia.
Syria has denied any role in the killing of Hariri, dismissing the UN report as politicised.
