Future bloc leader MP Fouad Siniora said in an interview published on Saturday that funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) probing the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri “is [one part] of Lebanon’s commitment to the UN-backed tribunal and not the main goal.”
“The funding emanates from a [UN Security Council] resolution [1757] which is now a part of international law,” Siniora told As-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper, adding that “Lebanon can no longer escape it.”
The STL indicted members linked to Syrian-backed Hezbollah in the Rafik Hariri murder. However, the Shia group denied the charges and refused to cooperate with the court.
Lebanon contributes 49 percent of the STL’s annual funding.
Lebanon contributes 49 percent of the STL’s annual funding.
Siniora also said that “had I been in the shoes of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, I would have abstained from voting on the Arab League’s decision to suspend Syria’s membership.”
The Arab League on Saturday suspended Syria’s membership in the organization until Syrian President Bashar al-Assad implements an Arab deal to end violence against protesters, and called for sanctions and transition talks with the opposition.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said during the Arab League Saturday meeting that he objected to the decision to suspend Syria because the move “has dangerous repercussions on Syria and the region.”
Assad’s troops have cracked down on protests against almost five decades of Baath Party rule which broke out mid-March, killing over 3,500 people, according to UN Human Rights committee, and triggering a torrent of international condemnation.
Assad’s troops have cracked down on protests against almost five decades of Baath Party rule which broke out mid-March, killing over 3,500 people, according to UN Human Rights committee, and triggering a torrent of international condemnation.
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