Syrian media reports have said up to 35 Syrians were killed in Lebanon following Hariri's death, but there has been no official Syrian or Lebanese confirmation of the number and Lebanese unofficial estimates put the number at much less.

Syrian social affairs and labor minister, Deyalla al-Haj Aref, told the Syrian private-owned Al Iktisadieh weekly that her ministry has sent "detailed lists" of Syrian workers killed in Lebanon -- including the date, time and manner in which they were killed -- asking for compensation for their families.

Aref did not say how many died and said Syria would discuss the issue further with Lebanon once its Cabinet is formed.