NOW Lebanon- STL president comments on Lebanon visit, November 28, 2011

Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) Judge Sir David Baragwanath commented on his recent visit to Lebanon, and said that he “was particularly heartened by the determination of the representatives of the Lebanese people to work for the rule of law and long-term stability.”

He also said that his visit to Lebanon gave him “great confidence that our mandate of challenging impunity will be fulfilled,” according to a statement posted on the STL’s website on Monday.

“The main purpose of the [Netherlands-based tribunal] is to bring the killers of Lebanese citizens to justice.”

Baragwanath also said that “the Tribunal, comprising professional judges selected internationally, and including senior members of the Lebanese judiciary, is a transitional institution.”

“We are determined to conclude our job as swiftly as fairness allows.”

Baragwanath added that he is “convinced that the strength of the legal and academic communities of Lebanon will allow the administration of justice in the country to attain new heights.”

“The support we are receiving will allow the STL to contribute to securing the stability that everybody, the killers aside, so earnestly desires, which will open new opportunities for Lebanon,” Baragwanath added.

The STL president arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday where he meet with Lebanese officials including President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He left Lebanon on Saturday.

The UN-backed court has charged four Hezbollah operatives in connection to the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.