Lebanon has requested the United Nations to extend international investigator Detelev Mehlis' mission to Dec. 15 on probing the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri, local press reported here Friday.

Mehlis will present his report on Hariri's assassination to the UN on Oct. 21, three days ahead of the official end to the mission.

Concerned sources was quoted as revealing that Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora had asked for prolonging Mehlis' mission in a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan early this week.

Seniora told Annan that Mehlis can not just leave once he presents his report, adding that Lebanon is passing through a very sensitive stage and is in need of international support.

It was learnt that Seniora's request is being studied by the UN and UN Security Council will meet on Oct. 25 to discuss issues related to Lebanon.

Source: Xinhua