Sources concerned with the formation of the new Cabinet revealed that Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati was informed by Hizbullah that the party will reject any reference to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the new government's ministerial statement, reported the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat Sunday.It said that the premier-designate was informed of this decision during a meeting with Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah that was held away from the media spotlight about a week ago.
The meeting also tackled other issues related to the formation of the Cabinet, including the party's demand that some of its Sunni allies be represented in the government, a matter that Miqati has reservations over because he is seeking to avoid a dispute with Sunni politicians.
The sources said that Miqati is currently awaiting a reply from Hizbullah over a suggestion that the ministerial statement include a demand to achieve justice and uncover the sides behind the assassination of former Prime Minster Rafik Hariri.
"Nasrallah adamantly refused to include any phrase related to the STL, while Miqati's position stems from his adherence to the decisions reached during the 2006 national dialogue," they added.
His position also stems from the need to avoid western nations taking a negative stand towards the new government seeing as the ambassadors of these countries have repeatedly highlighted the importance of Lebanon respecting international resolutions and commitments.
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