July 17, 2010 - Now Lebanon - Marouni: Kataeb keen for STL to issue indictment

Kataeb bloc MP Elie Marouni told LBCI television on Saturday that the Kataeb is keen for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) to issue its indictment, adding that Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s speech on Friday aimed to pressure the tribunal’s judges.

This comes after Nasrallah said on Friday that an indictment by the STL is an Israeli project designed to target Hezbollah by stirring up sectarian strife in Lebanon.

Marouni also said that if an international body such as the STL is an Israeli project, then all countries must be Tel Aviv’s agents. “If those who approved of the STL are Israeli spies, then why does [Hezbollah] has representatives in the parliament and cabinet?” he asked.

The MP also criticized Hezbollah’s communication network, saying that Lebanon is the only country in the world with a communication network independent of the government.

Marouni also slammed Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun’s statement that there are military groups in Lebanon—especially among the Christians—whose actions might lead to an internal conflict. He said that Aoun’s words target the Lebanese Forces and Kataeb Party, calling on Aoun to present to authorities proof of his claims.

Marouni added that if Israel counts on the STL indictment to cause an internal conflict, then only an armed party can fulfill its wish, possibly referring to Hezbollah.