Miqati: Nasrallah Agreed ‘in Principle’ to Fund STL
Prime Minister Najib Miqati stated on Thursday that Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had committed “in principle” to the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
He told BBC television in an interview set to be broadcast later on Thursday: “Nasrallah never said ‘no’ to the tribunal. Of course the party has its reservations on the STL, but he left it up to the constitutional institutions to assume their duties in this matter.”
“I will propose this matter before the institutions at the right time,” he added.
“I am certain that Nasrallah and Hizbullah are keen on Lebanon and its interests,” he stressed.
“I never voiced reservations over the tribunal because everyone wants to uncover the truth and achieve justice,” the premier stressed.
“My position is firm and we will cooperate completely with international resolutions, including United Nations Security Council resolution 1757 on the tribunal and its funding,” Miqati said.
Asked of what would be done if the tribunal is not funded, he replied: “We will not dwell on hypothetical situations. We will take the appropriate stance when the issue is discussed.”
Asked if he would resign if the STL is not funded, the prime minister responded: “I seek to preserve stability in Lebanon and I am not thinking about stepping down.”
“I did not accept the premiership in order to resign one day. I did so to maintain Lebanon’s stability and unity … and if I failed, then I will take the right decision at the appropriate time,” he remarked.
“Lebanon is committed to funding the tribunal and we should implement what we pledged,” he stressed.
“I am open to any suggestion that would help Lebanon meet its obligations,” he continued.
Asked if Lebanon would be subject to sanctions if it failed to fund the tribunal, Miqati said: “I am not seeking to fund the tribunal to avoid sanctions, but to fulfill the country’s commitment to fund it.”
“We cannot be selective in implementing international decisions,” he stated.
Addressing his upcoming visit to London on November 7 and what he will say to British officials given the isolation of the Lebanese government, he noted: “I object to the word ‘isolation.’”
“No one can isolate Lebanon because it plays an effective role in the region,” he continued.
On the developments in Syria, the premier noted: “We do not take sides in the matter. Some sides have long demanded that Lebanon remain neutral and now that it has taken a neutral position, it is being criticized for it.”
“Given the critical situation in the region, Lebanon is better off distancing itself from anything that may harm its interests,” he noted.
Miqati is scheduled to visit the UK on Monday where he is expected to meet with his British counterpart David Cameron to discuss the situation in the Middle East, bilateral relations, and British aid to Lebanon.
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