[JURIST] The chief United Nations investigator leading the probe into the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri [UN materials; JURIST news archive] will leave his post on December 15 after submitting his final report to the UN, a spokesman said Tuesday. The spokesman said that German prosecutor Detlev Mehlis indicated he would conduct the investigation for only six to seven months when he joined the UN team, but that he will be available if needed past the mid-December date. Last week, both Syria and Lebanon announced that they want the UN Security Council [official website] to extend the probe [JURIST report] into Hariri's death, but Mehlis said his personal mandate will end [NYT report] after he delivers the report, adding that "I have to go back and I will go back to my job that I like. I never asked for this assignment. I agreed to be available up to seven months." AP has more.