By Patrick Galey
BEIRUT: The head of the United Nations-backed court probing the
2005 assassination of statesman Rafik Hariri issued a robust defense of his
institution Monday, following his first trip to Lebanon last week.
Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) President Sir David
Baragwanath said he received strong verbal support from senior Lebanese
officials while in Beirut.
“The main purpose of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is to
bring the killers of Lebanese citizens to justice. This week's visit to Beirut
has given me great confidence that our mandate of challenging impunity will be
fulfilled,” Baragwanath said in a statement.
“I was particularly heartened by the determination of the
representatives of the Lebanese people to work for the rule of law and
long-term stability.”
Baragwanath’s visit, during which he met with President Michel
Sleiman, Prime Minister Najib Mikati and General Prosecutor Saeed Mirza, came
as the debate over Lebanon’s financial contribution to the STL threatens to
split the government.
Mikati has said he will resign if the Cabinet fails to stump up
more than $30 million for the court on Nov. 30 and the Free Patriotic Movement
has warned its ministers will quit should the funding pass.
The STL has
accused four Hezbollah members of killing five-time premier Hariri. Lebanese
authorities have been unable to arrest the suspects, leading to increasing talk
within the tribunal that the four could eventually be tried in absentia.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Nov-28/155422-stl-president-defends-work-of-court.ashx#axzz1f27PhNtx
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