Kataeb bloc MP Elie Marouni said on Tuesday that the funding of the
UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) probing the 2005
assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri is a reality.
“The STL funding is a reality. No one can afford that Lebanon be
isolated on the international level,” the MP told As-Sharq radio.
In a reference to the value of the court’s subsidy, Marouni said it
is “small in comparison to the cabinet’s budget,” warning that the
cabinet would lose credibility if it does not stand by its
international commitments.
The MP also said that the objective of the STL funding debate might
be “to increase Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s approval amongst the
Sunni community, as well as Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel
Aoun’s popularity.”
Marouni added that renewing the protocol signed between the cabinet
and the United Nations depends on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
The tribunal is funded by an assortment of donor countries from
around the world as well as Lebanon. However, Hezbollah and other March
8 parties and figures – in particular Aoun have spoken out against
Lebanon’s ties and funding for the tribunal and called it a tool to
incite sectarian strife in Lebanon.
Lebanon contributes 49 percent of the STL’s annual funding.
The Kataeb MP also addressed the drafting of a new electoral law for the 2013 parliamentary elections.
During the Bkirki meetings, the Christian parties agreed to support
an electoral law only after reaching an agreement on the matter, the MP
said.
Lebanese parties are currently debating over the electoral law for
the upcoming 2013 parliamentary elections. After the parliament agreed
on drafting a law based on proportional representation, some parties
rejected the proposed law and called for adopting the 2009 electoral
law, based on simple majority representation.
Regarding the situation in Syria, Marouni deemed it “a popular revolution” and “a rebellion against dictatorship.”
“There is no way back because the people’s [revolution] has started
and they are asking for a regime change. This is the Syrian people’s
free [choice] and we have nothing to do with it,” the Kataeb MP said.
According to the United Nations, the Syrian regime's crackdown on
protests that erupted in mid-March has killed more than 2,700 people.
-NOW Lebanon
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