Fletcher Hails Lebanese Efforts to Maintain Stability

British Ambassador Tom Fletcher on Monday hailed the Lebanese authorities’ efforts to maintain stability in the country by preventing any repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon.

Fletcher held a meeting with President Michel Suleiman on Wednesday at the Baabda Palace and discussed bilateral ties, the developments in the region, and the Arab League summit expected to be held in Baghdad on March 29.

According to the National News Agency, the ambassador voiced Britain’s concerns over the crisis in Syria, and said that his country understands Lebanon’s decision to disassociate itself from the turmoil in order to maintain stability.

He informed the president that Britain will continue aiding the Lebanese authorities in treating the humanitarian issues concerning the repercussions caused by the Syrian crisis.

Fletcher also revealed Britain’s new methods to help training the Lebanese army, stressing on the importance of respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty by its neighbors.

Conflicting reports on whether Syrian security forces infiltrated al-Qaa emerged on Monday.

The ambassador confirmed to Suleiman that Britain will provide an additional £1 million ($1.6 million) to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).

The U.N. has extended the mandate of the STL for another three years.

The tribunal, set up by the U.N. Security Council at the request of Lebanon to try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s suspected assassins, also announced that it will put four Hizbullah members on trial even though they have not yet been detained.

Lebanon is responsible for meeting 49 percent of the STL's financing, while the remaining 51 percent is the responsibility of contributing countries.