Baragwanath Says STL 'Has No Interest Whatsoever in Politics'

Judge David Baragwanath, President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, on Thursday stressed that the U.N.-backed court “has no interest whatsoever in people's politics,” noting that the work of STL's judges has nothing to do with how the world labels Hizbullah.

In an interview on LBCI television, Baragwanath said the tribunal is required to work vigorously, adding that it must avoid any procrastination and emphasizing that justice must be fulfilled. He noted that delay is only acceptable when it serves the purpose of achieving justice.

Asked about Lebanon's cooperation with the STL, Baragwanath said starting October 2011 Lebanon has been submitting a report to STL's prosecutor on a monthly basis, describing the reports as spectacular and confidential.

The judge added that Lebanese authorities have been exerting real efforts to find the four accused – Hizbullah operatives Salim Ayyash, Hussein Oneissi, Mustafa Badreddine and Assad Sabra – who have been charged with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri.

“The Lebanon tribunal has no interest whatsoever in people's politics ... We look at the facts, we look at the law,” Baragwanath underlined.

Asked whether slain Major General Wissam al-Hasan was one of the key witnesses who had testified in the Hariri case, the STL president said the prosecution has not yet informed him of the identities of the witnesses.