Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun on Tuesday said that
Prime Minister Najib Mikati “does not have the right” to commit his
government to funding the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).
“I am not ready to pay illegitimate and unconstitutional funds [to
the STL] and let those who want that to pay it from their own wealth,”
he told the press following his bloc’s weekly meeting.
Aoun also called for quickly finalizing the administrative
appointments, adding that his bloc will “oppose appointing any
incompetent people.”
“This matter can no longer bear any delay and I think that we have
the biggest role in appointing people on the basis of [skills] and
ethics.”
The Change and Reform bloc leader criticized Parliamentary Energy
Commission head MP Mohammad Qabbani, saying the latter is obstructing a
draft fuel bill in the parliament.
“The obstruction of laws [in the parliament] harms the country,” Aoun said, but did not elaborate further.
Concerning the Syrian crisis, he said that the situation has “calmed
down,” adding that “those who want to change the status in Syria will
not be able to.”
“We have told you that [Syrian President Bashar] al-Assad will not be ousted and that reforms will be implemented.”
The UN says that the Syrian regime’s crackdown on protests that erupted in mid-March has killed more than 2,700 people.
Meanwhile, 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
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.
-NOW Lebanon
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