Future bloc MP Riad Rahhal said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Najib
Mikati should either agree on the issue of Lebanon’s share of funding
to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon or resign.
“When the issue is brought up in cabinet, the prime minister has two
options: to either agree on funding [the United Nations-backed
tribunal] or resign,” he told Voice of Lebanon (100.5) radio
“Since the premier constitutionally represents the cabinet and
speaks on its behalf, then when he speaks [in front of the
international community] and speaks of [Lebanon committing to]
international resolutions, he is speaking on behalf of the cabinet.”
Rahhal also commented on recent reports of security threats
targeting UN buildings and personnel, saying: “This is pressure, and
they want to use the ‘Lebanese card’ because this is their last card
after losing the ‘Hamas’ one.”
“They want to send a message to the United Nations… and put pressure
on it for the positions it is taking,” he added, although he was not
clear to whom he was referring.
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 that indicted
Hezbollah members for Rafik Hariri’s murder.
Lebanon contributes 49 percent of the STL’s annual funding.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas made a historic bid
for UN membership on September 23. But the United States has vowed to
veto the application if it comes to a Security Council vote.
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