Now Lebanon - Berri: Pietton’s statement on STL raises our concerns - September 24, 2010

In an interview with As-Safir newspaper published on Friday, Speaker Nabih Berri said that Hezbollah is not reassured by French Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton’s statement that France wants to keep dealing with Hezbollah even if the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) indicted members from the party.

“[Pietton’s statement] is not reassuring, but it raises Hezbollah’s concerns and ours on the STL indictment,” Berri said.

In another interview with An-Nahar newspaper published on Friday, Berri said that Lebanon is moving toward calm, adding that he is in an ongoing contact with Prime Minister Saad Hariri to foster stability in the country.

Berri called on the cabinet to launch investigations into the issue of witnesses who gave false testimony to the international commission investigating the 2005 assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri.

“Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar is fulfilling his duties [with regard to the issue],” Berri said, adding that the minister’s report on the false witnesses issue is now ready.

The cabinet delegated Najjar to follow up on the issue last month. However, March 8 coalition parties—including Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement—have called for the formation of a Lebanese commission to follow up on the issue of the false witnesses.

-NOW Lebanon