Now Lebanon - Majdalani warns of “negative” outcome if cabinet fails to fund STL , September 28, 2011

Future bloc MP Atef Majdalani on Wednesday warned of “negative repercussions” on Lebanon if the government does not provide its annual share of funding to the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).“If the government does not commit to UN Security Council Resolution 1757, [which called for the creation of the STL], there will negative repercussions [on Lebanon],” Majdalani told the Voice of Lebanon (93.3) radio station.“Hezbollah has the say in this matter,” the MP added, in a reference to the Hezbollah-led majority in the Lebanese cabinet.He also said that the Shia group “does not have the capability to confront the international community… hence the cabinet will maintain [diplomatic ties] on the international level.”The STL indicted four Hezbollah members for ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s 2005 murder. However, the Shia group ruled out the arrest of the four suspects and labeled the court a “US-Israeli conspiracy.”The Hezbollah-led March 8 parties – which currently dominate Lebanon’s cabinet – have opposed a clause in the Lebanese annual state budget pertaining to the funding of the tribunal. Lebanon contributes 49 percent of the STL’s annual funding.