Hariri report 'will shake Syria's ruling family'

Israeli leaders today called for changes in the Syrian leadership, after a UN probe implicated top Syrian and Lebanese intelligence officials in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The findings drew the first official link between Damascus and the murder of Hariri, a popular opposition leader.

“I think there needs to be change in Syria,” said Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres, adding that the United States and France should take the lead in deciding on an international response to the findings.

Referring to Syrian President Bashar Assad and his relatives, Peres told Israel Radio it was “not natural or acceptable” that a family representing a small minority should rule Syria in a brutal fashion.

“If it is true that the (Syrian) government is involved in the murder (of Hariri), this will shake up the rule of the Assads,” Peres said.