Miqati Chairs U.N. Security Council: Not Funding STL Harms Lebanon
Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Tuesday that Lebanon is always committed to implementing international resolutions, including respecting the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which was stipulated in a number of Lebanese government policy statements.
Miqati stressed that “if Lebanon does not secure the necessary funding for the STL, then the country will be the first victim”, adding that “We are on the verge of extending the STL work in March, and we should prepare our files to present it to the Security Council”.
He said while chairing a United Nations Security Council meeting: “Lebanon is committed to justice as a means to reach peace and it will always remain the land of freedoms and moderation.”
On the developments in Syria, he stated: “Lebanon is keen on its unity and the safety and security of its people.”
Furthermore, he renewed Lebanon’s commitment to the implementation of U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, demanding that the international community pressure Israel to respect the resolution as well and withdraw from the Kfarshouba hills and Shabaa Farms.
In addition, it should be pressured to cease its ongoing violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty, which should pave the way for a cessation of hostilities and comprehensive ceasefire, he added.
Miqati also reiterated Lebanon’s right to demarcate its maritime border to exploit offshore gas and oil that was discovered in the Mediterranean Sea.
On this note, he commended the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for its role in helping Lebanon demarcate its land border in the South, stressing that Lebanon is keen on maintaining cooperation between it and the Lebanese army.
Addressing the Palestine’s bid to be recognized as a state by the U.N., Miqati said: “It meets all the required international standards … but seeing as it is an occupied state, we need to support its efforts to be recognized, end the occupation, and achieve its independence.”
In an interview with the journalists, Miqati stressed that if Lebanon does not fund the STL, the sole benefactor is Israel “since we will be giving them what they could not take during war”.
He added that the STL today has become a fact, and “comments should be presented to the U.N. in order to make the necessary amendments."
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