Lebanese Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan on Thursday said
that he is against providing Lebanon’s share of funding to the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).
“The tribunal seeks vengeance and we are against its funding until
[the circumstances of its establishment] are reviewed,” the MP was
quoted as saying by the National News Agency.
He said that the UN-backed court is “politicized,” adding that “it will incite strife in Lebanon.”
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, while Prime Minister
Najib Mikati has repeatedly voiced Lebanon’s commitment to the STL.
Four Hezbollah members have been indicted by the STL for the 2005
assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri. However, the Shia group
strongly denied the charges and refuses to cooperate with the court.
Lebanon contributes 49 percent of the STL’s annual funding.
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