Miqati, Hariri Deny Discussing STL Funding
Prime Minister Najib Miqati denied on Friday that he had contacted any of the opposition figures to inquire about the decisions he takes.
“The premier’s constant approach (concerning all matters) is to stay away from any political dispute in order to achieve the Lebanese (citizens’) interests,” sources close to the PM told An Nahar newspaper.
The sources said Miqati’s stances “are clear and announced, they don’t need to be leaked or mediated.”
They added: “He’s counting on the awareness of all the Lebanese parties to safeguard the Lebanese higher interest, to preserve stability, and protect Lebanon from any danger.”
For his part, ex-PM Saad Hariri also denied discussing with Miqati in Riyadh the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which is set to try former-Premier Rafik Hariri’s suspected assassins.
Sources close to Hariri told the daily that “the matter was not discussed and Miqati didn’t confirm his commitment to the funding (of the tribunal).”
Earlier this week, Miqati and Hariri came face to face while offering their condolences to Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz over the death of Crown Prince Sultan.
Miqati had continuously voiced his commitment to the funding of the STL.
He received at the end of September a message from U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon requesting that Lebanon pay its $33 million in dues.
However, Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah ruled out on Monday that his party will support the funding of the court, stating that if the cabinet failed to reach consensus on the matter, then it should be submitted to a vote at the parliament.
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