BEIRUT: Interim U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Robert
Watkins Monday voiced the U.N.’s appreciation over Parliament Speaker Nabih
Berri’s role in settling the issue of funding for the Special Tribunal for
Lebanon and urged rival politicians to revive national dialogue.
“I very much welcomed the role that H.E. the Speaker played last
week in finding a solution to the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
His role was very much appreciated by the United Nations. I came here to
personally express our thanks to him,” Watkins said after meeting with Berri at
the latter’s Ain al-Tinih residence.
The U.N. had welcomed Lebanon’s decision to fund the STL after
months of uncertainty. Prime Minister Najib Mikati said last week he had
transferred the country’s share of the tribunal’s budget which amounted to
$32.6 million.
Days before Mikati’s announcement, Berri had intensified his
efforts in a bid to find a middle ground over the controversial issue, which
was staunchly opposed by the government’s majority represented by Hezbollah and
its allies.
“I told Speaker Berri that the United Nations welcomes any step
that Lebanon took to ensure stability and I voiced our expectation that he
would help in continuing to respect all of Lebanon’s international obligations,
including those related to Security Council Resolution 1701 and other
resolutions that affect Lebanon,” Watkins said.
The U.N. official also said that the organization encouraged
rival politicians in Lebanon to resume national dialogue under the auspices of
President Michel Sleiman “in order to seek a solution to existing
disagreements.”
“We also hope
the resumption of Cabinet meetings this week will help address many of the
daily socio-economic frustrations of the Lebanese people, which may have
contributed to a rise in tension in recent days and weeks,” he added.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Dec-05/156080-un-thanks-berri-for-role-in-resolving-stl-funding.ashx#axzz1ffjZuLhc
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