Gemayel Praises STL Funding, Hopes Govt. Will Further Commit to Justice

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel hailed on Thursday Lebanon’s funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, saying that it saved Lebanon “from a number of dangers that were threatening it.”

He told Voice of Lebanon radio: “We want the government to recognize the principle of justice, especially the STL, and hopefully it will exert efforts to arrest the four suspects wanted by the tribunal.”

He noted that STL officials had pointed out to the Lebanese authorities’ shortcomings in arrested the suspects.

“Achieving justice and uncovering the truth will pave the way for better reconciliation among the Lebanon and therefore allow the construction of the state on solid basis,” Gemayel stressed.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati announced on Wednesday that he had transferred Lebanon’s share of the STL budget.

The issue had been at the center of political disputes in the country, with the March 8 camp opposing the matter and the March 14-led opposition insisting that Lebanon meet its international duties to avoid a confrontation with the international community.

Lebanon is obligated to provide 49 percent of the tribunal budget.

The STL issued arrest warrants against four Hizbullah members it accused of being involved in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has said he doubted the four indictees will ever be found and has branded the tribunal a U.S.-Israeli conspiracy aimed at bringing down the party.