Iloubnan - US wants to reduce tension in Lebanon over Hariri court - September 25, 2010

NEW YORK | AFP - September 25, 2010
The United States called for less tension Friday in Lebanon, in the grip of a political crisis over the US-backed tribunal probing the murder of ex-Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri.

"It's in the interest of the many friends of Lebanon, in the region and internationally to help reduce the tension, to help create an atmosphere for the Lebanese to be able to make decisions on behalf of Lebanon," US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeff Feltman said.

He reiterated US support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) set up three years ago in line with a UN Security Council resolution, warning the court "should not be politicized." Pointing to a "rise of tension" in recent weeks, Feltman stressed that the STL was an independent court and that the United States was not aware of the specifics of its investigation or any upcoming announcements.

An escalated war of words between the camp of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri -- Rafiq Hariri's son -- and the Shiite militant group Hezbollah, largely related to the UN-backed probe, has raised fears of renewed sectarian violence.

There are fears that should the court indict Hezbollah members, this could lead to a Sunni-Shiite conflict similar to the one that brought the country to the brink of civil war in May 2008.