Roux Says He Seeks to Meet with Concerned Officials in Order to Inform them of Defense Office’s Role

The head of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Defense Office Francois Roux stated that he holds talks with various government officials whenever he visits Lebanon, reported the daily An Nahar on Tuesday.

He told the daily that he is open to meeting other political officials in order to explain to them the role of the Defense Office and STL.

He made his statement in response to a question on whether he intends to meet with Hizbullah officials during a future trip to Lebanon.

Four Hizbullah members have been accused of being involved in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri

Roux stressed that he always seeks to explain the role of his office and the STL, whether to politicians or civilians, adding that lawyers must be informed of the rules of international tribunals.

This is the message that he sought to relay during various meetings he held in Switzerland, England, France, and Lebanon, he revealed.

Asked if he will be visiting Lebanon any time soon, he replied that he is in constant contact with Lebanese officials.

On whether the Defense Office had received files on the investigation from the Prosecution, Roux responded that such a matter is not part of his jurisdiction, adding that the Defense Office does not receive them, but the defense teams do.

The office however does all it can than they are delivered to the teams by providing them with technical, logistic, and technical support, he explained.

The teams hope to obtain all the documents they need, Roux added.