Now Lebanon - Gemayel says STL funding will happen “without big problems” , October 3, 2011

Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel said on Sunday night that Lebanon’s funding contribution to the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) will continue without any disruptions.“There is a deal made concerning the STL’s funding, and it will happen without creating a big problem inside the cabinet. They will solve it ‘the Lebanese way’. The file will not be transferred to the parliament,” he told New TV station.“When [Prime Minister Najib] Mikati formed the cabinet he knew what was waiting for him, and I think he has guarantees concerning the STL funding,” Gemayel added.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, which is investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.Four Hezbollah members have been indicted by the STL. However, the Shia group strongly denied the charges and refuses to cooperate with the court.Following his meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday, Mikati reiterated his commitment to international resolutions. The Kataeb Party leader also said that the remarks concerning Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai’s recent statements should not be made to the media.“The discussion of these topics should happen through openness and not [through the media],” he added.The patriarch has faced criticism by some figures of March 14 coalition after his statements in support of the Syrian regime and Hezbollah’s arms. However, the patriarch later commented on the aforementioned statements and said that they “were taken out of context and have nothing to do” with his personal opinion.