Fletcher Meets STL Chief: We're Encouraged by Lebanese Officials Vows to Meet Int'l Obligations
Special Tribunal for Lebanon President Sir Judge David Baragwanath continued his trip to Lebanon on Thursday by meeting with the British Ambassador Tom Fletcher, after which the ambassador praised the judge for his “vigor in pursuing his responsibilities.”
Fletcher added: “We were encouraged by the commitments made by the Lebanese leadership that Lebanon will meet its international obligations.”
“This is in the interests, first and foremost, of Lebanon,” he stressed.
“I reiterated British opposition to the dangerous notion that those who assassinate Lebanese leaders are somehow beyond the realms of justice,” the ambassador stated.
Baragwanath had also held talks on Thursday with Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi and General Prosecutor Saeed Mirza.
The STL president had arrived in Lebanon earlier this week where he met with President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, and Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour.
He reiterated to the officials the importance of paying 49 percent of the costs of the STL, noting that the issue should be away from any political exploitation.
Baragwanath arrived in Beirut on Tuesday night. He is accompanied by the Vice-President of the Tribunal, Judge Ralph Riachy.
He had reportedly warned senior officials that if Lebanon didn’t commit to the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon then the international community will resort to the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on it.
“Lebanon has to remain credible and implement its international commitments, or else the issue will be referred to the U.N. Security Council,” As Safir newspaper on Thursday quoted the STL president as telling the officials.
Lebanon has to pay its share of about $33 million dollars for the tribunal which has charged four Hizbullah members in the February 14, 2005 assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others.
The STL has created controversy in Lebanon, as Hizbullah and its allies that dominate the cabinet refuse to pay Lebanon’s share, while the March 14-led opposition insists on the government to meet the country’s international obligations.
The cabinet is expected to tackle the issue during a session scheduled to be held on November 30.
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