Daily Star - Hariri confident STL will bring 'truth and justice' - September 4

BEIRUT: Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed Friday that truth and justice behind his father’s murder would be revealed by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).

“This truth and justice will come if God wills through the STL soon,” Hariri said during an iftar at his residence in Qoreitem, addressing families of the Akkar region.

Hariri said no party dictates the premier’s movements, alluding to Hizbullah.

“Regarding what happened recently in Beirut, no one dictates to me where to go, and I go wherever I want,” Hariri said referring to criticism by Hizbullah officials of Hariri’s visit to the Burj Abi Haidar neighborhood.

In August, three individuals were killed during clashes between supporters of Hizbullah and the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects, a pro-Syrian Sunni faction known as Al-Ahbash. Two mosques and several properties, which Hariri inspected, were burned during the clashes.

Hizbullah condemned the tour as an attempt to promote sectarian tensions.

“It is not me carrying a knife … Beirut is for all Lebanese but not open to weapons that violate people’s homes,” Hariri said.

The premier also reiterated his commitment to calm dialogue but added that his party would not remain silent regarding such incidents.

“Are we asked to remain neutral without the right to express our opinions?” Hariri asked. – Nafez Qawas