Future bloc MP Jean Ogassapian said on Monday that the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) is trying to convince Prime Minister Najib Mikati to take a stand against the issue of Lebanon’s share of funding to the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).
“The FPM is trying to make Mikati incapable of committing to his promise [that Lebanon will pay its share] of funding to the STL,” he told Voice of Lebanon (93.3) radio.
“The cabinet is incapable of [being] responsible,” Ogassapian added.
The Future Movement MP also said that the March 14 coalition expects Mikati to commit to his promises and propose the issue of STL funding to be discussed in cabinet.
Ogassapian also said that Saad Hariri’s unity cabinet approved an electricity plan in 2010, adding that his team is calling on the cabinet to send the previously proposed plan to parliament for approval.
Mikati said in comments published on Friday that the government will commit to paying Lebanon’s share of funding for the STL, which is investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
The STL is financed by an assortment of donor countries from around the world as well as Lebanon. However, Hezbollah and other March 8 parties and figures have spoken out against Lebanon’s ties and funding for the tribunal and called it an Israeli tool to incite sectarian strife in Lebanon.
The UN-backed court indicted four members of Hezbollah for the murder of Hariri in late June.
Meanwhile, the parliament earlier in August adjourned the discussion of the draft law proposed by the Change and Reform bloc to transfer $1.2 billion in funds to the Energy Ministry, while cabinet ministers have yet to approve the proposal.
Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun on August 16 warned that his ministers would withdraw from the cabinet if it does not pursue developmental projects.
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