[JURIST] The UN Security Council [official website] unanimously voted Thursday to authorize an international investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri [Wikipedia profile]. The United States, France, and Britain sponsored the resolution which gives an independent commission three months to complete an investigation. Secretary-General Kofi Annan can extend the mandate by an additional three months if necessary. The resolution follows a report released by the UN which found a Lebanese probe into the assasination to be lacking. Hariri's assassination led to massive anti-Syria protests and claims that Syria was involved in the killing. Read a UN news release on the resolution [full text not yet available online]. AP has more.