The Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH) is a local non-profit, non-partisan Lebanese human rights organization in Beirut that was established by the Franco-Lebanese Movement SOLIDA (Support for Lebanese Detained Arbitrarily) in 2006. SOLIDA has been active since 1996 in the struggle against arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and the impunity of those perpetrating gross human violations.

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October 10, 2011

Now Lebanon - Aoun stresses rejection of STL funding, October 10, 2011

Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun said in remarks published on Monday that he “totally rejects” Lebanon paying its share of funding to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).
“Hezbollah can accept [to pay the STL’s funding], but we do not,” Aoun told An-Nahar newspaper, adding that he is against Lebanon “paying money to the STL without an agreement with it or without an agreement between Lebanon and the UN Security Council.”
Aoun also said that his position is not “against the STL or justice,” adding that he has taken such a position because funds are being “spent illegally,” in reference to Lebanon’s contribution of 49 percent of the STL’s annual funding.
The MP also accused Economy Minister Mohammad Safadi and Prime Minister Najib Mikati of “violating the constitution” by supporting paying Lebanon’s share of funding to the international court probing the 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri.
“No one can commit to [implement] something illegal and impose it on me,” Aoun added, in reference to Mikati’s statement before the UN that the country will follow through with international commitments.
During his speech before the UN Security Council in September, Mikati said that Lebanon “is always committed to [international] resolutions… including [the resolution] pertaining to the STL.”
“Nothing [forces] us” to pay the share of funding to the tribunal, Aoun said.
Asked about his relation with the Progressive Socialist Party and the Future Movement, Aoun said that “everyone knows I am always ready for dialogue.”
He also said that his relationship with PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt “is not bad,” adding, however, that “it can be better.”The Hezbollah-led March 8 parties – which currently dominate Lebanon’s cabinet – have opposed a clause in the Lebanese annual state budget pertaining to the funding of the tribunal.
Four Hezbollah members have been indicted by the STL. However, the Shia group strongly denied the charges and refuses to cooperate with the court.

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