United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon ad interim Robert Watkins met with Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday, after which he said that the UN appreciates the speaker’s efforts in finding a solution to the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).
“I very much welcomed the role that the speaker played last week in finding a solution to the funding of the STL. His role was very much appreciated by the UN,” Watkins said according to a statement issued by his office.
He also said that he agreed with Berri on “how important it was to maintain peace and stability in Lebanon and at this time of dramatic changes in the region.”
“I told speaker Berri that the UN 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 UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and other resolutions that affect Lebanon.”
The envoy also said that “the UN also encourages the different sides in Lebanon to resume the national dialogue that would be chaired by the President of Lebanon in order to seek a solution to existing disagreements.”
Last week, Prime Minister NajibMikati transferred the funds to the UN-backed STL, a source of political tension in Lebanon since its creation.
Last week, Prime Minister NajibMikati transferred the funds to the UN-backed STL, a source of political tension in Lebanon since its creation.
The tribunal has indicted four Hezbollah operatives in connection with ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s 2005 murder but they have not surrendered to the court.
Lebanon is responsible for meeting 49 percent of the STL's financing, which amounts to some $35 million this year.
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