Lebanon's prime minister has withdrawn an accusation that Syria was to blame for his father's assassination five years ago.

Rafiq Hariri was killed in a truck bombing in Beirut and Lebanese leaders at the time immediately pointed the finger at Syria, whose troops had occupied Lebanon for decades.

Syria has always denied the claim.

Now, Rafiq Hariri's son and current prime minister Saad Hariri says he was wrong to accuse Syria of murder before a long-running inquiry is complete.

A special UN court is investigating the assassination but is yet to indict any suspects.

Relations between Lebanon and Syria have greatly improved since Saad Hariri took office - he has visited Damascus five times and signed a series of co-operation agreements.