March 14, 2010 - Now Lebanon - Cassese: Rapprochement between regional parties does not affect STL

Rapprochement or estrangement between regional parties does not affect the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s (STL) work, STL President Judge Antonio Cassese told Al-Arabiya television on Sunday. He added that the tribunal has not faced opposition from any state in the Middle East.

Cassese cited Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s 2009 visit to Syria, calling it part of local politics.

The STL is not being affected by pressure or political bias, he said, adding that it needs time to finalize its work.

“I have no doubt that we will discover the truth based on [the] highest judicial standards,” Cassese said. He added that the establishment of the court is a new experience that will strengthen the Lebanese judiciary.

He voiced hope that there will be positive developments by December. However, he said that he cannot predict when the indictments would be passed down, saying it is within the power of the prosecutor.

Cassese also said he trustSTL prosecutor Daniel Bellemare, describing him as highly professional.

I am not keen on arresting any suspects because everyone is innocent until proven guilty, he added.