Information Minister Walid Daouq said on Tuesday that the issue of Lebanon’s funding for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon will be tackled in the cabinet’s discussions on the 2012 draft state budget.
“The STL funding file is included in the budget, and will be approached according to the methods that will be proposed by each minister,” he told the press following the cabinet’s meeting.
Daouq also said that the cabinet meeting focused on the 2012 draft state budget submitted by Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi.
“It was decided that ministers should submit their suggestions on the draft budget within one week... [after which] workshops will be formed to discuss each suggestion.”
Daouq added that the issue of Syrians abducted in Lebanon might be addressed during Wednesday’s meeting. But according to my information judicial and security services will decide on it.”
Al-Jumhuriya newspaper reported on October 11 that Internal Security Forces Director General Achraf Rifi told the parliamentary committee for human rights that “members of the Lebanese security forces assigned to protect the Syrian embassy in Lebanon kidnapped four Syrians using embassy vehicles.”
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 UN-backed court, while Prime Minister Najib Mikati has repeatedly voiced Lebanon’s commitment to the tribunal.
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 UN-backed court, while Prime Minister Najib Mikati has repeatedly voiced Lebanon’s commitment to the tribunal.
Four Hezbollah members have been indicted by the STL in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. However, the Shia group strongly denied the charges and refuses to cooperate with the court
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