Mortar shells found near Hariri home in Beirut

Three mortar shells, not primed for firing, were found near the Beirut family home of assassinated former prime minister Rafik Hariri, Lebanon security officials said today.

The 55mm, 60mm and 81mm-calibre shells were found at about midnight in a black plastic bag near a rubbish dump about 500 metres from the house, where Hariri’s son, politician Saad Hariri, now lives, officials said.

Hariri is currently on a private visit to Saudi Arabia.

The shells had Hebrew inscriptions on them, officials said. Two unwired batteries were also found with the shells, they added.