An-Nahar newspaper reported on Monday that “in case the Lebanese government refuses to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) the international sanctions will not target Lebanon as a country, they will target businessmen and institutions directly or indirectly related to Hezbollah.”
The daily also said that Hezbollah’s command is aware of these reports, and has started to address them seriously.
US Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly warned last week that a failure by Beirut to meets its obligation to the STL could lead to “serious consequences.”
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 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.
Lebanon contributes 49 percent of the STL’s annual funding.
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