Information Minister Walid Daouq on Thursday said that providing
Lebanon’s share of funding to the UN-backed Special Tribunal for
Lebanon (STL) is an issue that should be “discussed calmly.”
“The funding matter should be addressed through calm dialogue,” Daouq told the Free Lebanon radio station.
He said that the parties “must seek the interest of Lebanon,” adding
that the international agreements signed by the country’s government
must be “honored.”
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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