Syria's ruling Baath Party has expelled former Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam - a day after parliament voted to bring treason charges against him.

The moves follow remarks by Mr Khaddam implicating President Bashar al-Assad in the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in February 2005.

The remarks in an Arabic TV interview have caused outrage in mainstream political circles in Damascus.

A UN-led inquiry implicated Syria in the murder, but Damascus denies blame.

Top Syrian officials are among 19 suspects a UN report says have been identified over the huge bomb attack in Beirut that killed Mr Hariri.

The attack sparked such public outrage that Syria was eventually forced to end decades of military presence in Lebanon.
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"The national leadership has decided to throw Khaddam out of the party. It considers him a traitor," a Baath Party statement said.

"Khaddam has betrayed the party, the homeland and the (Arab) nation."

It added that his comments to al-Arabiya TV broadcast on Friday were "a slander which violates the principles of the nation."