July 27, 2010 - Now Lebanon - Sayegh: Justice cannot prevail at the expense of national security

Social Affairs Minister Selim Sayegh told LBCI television on Tuesday that no one is interested in triggering war or sectarian strife in Lebanon, adding that justice cannot prevail at the expense of national security.

This comes after Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said earlier in July that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is an Israeli project aiming to spark sectarian strife. His comments sparked a war of words between March 14 and 8 alliance officials.

Newspapers are quoting politicians as accusing the STL of corruption, Sayegh said. However, he added that as long as there is no real evidence behind the politicians’ claims, then the tribunal’s verdict should not be politicized.

The minister also said that no one is accusing Hezbollah of being involved in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Media reports have said that the STL’s indictment, expected to be issued before the end of the year, will name Hezbollah members.

Sayegh called for the Lebanese factions to assemble and discuss the upcoming phase, and particularly the STL.