BEIRUT: The president of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon met
Thursday with Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi at the ministry’s headquarters
where he spoke about Lebanon’s duties toward the U.N.-backed court, sources
said.
Sir David Baragwanath, who was accompanied by tribunal Vice
President Judge Ralph Riachy, also spoke about the importance of Lebanon’s cooperation
with the international tribunal so that it can meet its objectives.
The head of the STL also met with General Prosecutor Saeed
Mirza. Neither official issued a statement following the meeting.
Baragwanath also met with British Ambassador Tom Fletcher, who
described the visit as timely.
A statement from the British Embassy said Fletcher had praised
the STL president for the “vigor with which he is pursuing his
responsibilities.”
The U.K. envoy also reiterated his government’s opposition to
“the dangerous notion that those who assassinate Lebanese leaders are somehow
beyond the realms of justice.”
“We were encouraged by the commitments made by the Lebanese
leadership that Lebanon will meet its international obligations. This is in the
interests, first and foremost, of Lebanon,” the statement also quoted Fletcher
as saying.
Lebanon’s Cabinet is expected to discuss the controversial issue
of funding for the STL on Nov. 30 amid opposition from March 8 coalition
ministers to paying the country’s estimated $36 million share of the tribunal’s
budget.
Sources have told The Daily Star that Prime Minister Najib
Mikati, who has repeatedly voiced his commitment to funding for the court, has
expressed a readiness to resign should the government fail to agree on a mechanism
to fund the court.
In late June,
the STL accused four members of Hezbollah in the assassination of former Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. Hezbollah denies involvement in the case and
says the four members will never be apprehended, not “in 300 years,” but would
be tried in absentia instead.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Nov-24/155075-stl-head-meets-justice-minister-british-envoy.ashx#axzz1eXgY1TwC
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