The U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon on Thursday condemned “in the strongest possible terms” what it called “the latest attempt to interfere with the proper administration of justice by publishing a list of alleged witnesses and potentially endangering the lives of Lebanese citizens.”
The website of al-Mustaqbal newspaper, which is owned by slain ex-premier Rafik Hariri's family, was hacked on Tuesday and its front page was replaced with the alleged names of the “secret witnesses in the STL” by a group calling itself “Journalists for the Truth.” The list can also be found on the group's website.
Full StorySpecial Tribunal for Lebanon spokesman Marten Youssef stressed on Thursday that the publishing of an alleged list of witnesses in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's murder case aimed to intimidate the witnesses.
“The publishing of the names of people who are allegedly witnesses in the court is an attempt to intimidate the witnesses,” Youssef told al-Joumhouria newspaper.
Full StoryLebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea expressed concern on Thursday over reports saying that Hizbullah fighters are deeply involved in battles on Syrian territories.
Geagea wondered if Hizbullah is seeking to make the Syrian crisis slip into Lebanon and inflict further division between the Lebanese.
Full StoryThe general directorate of Islamic Endowments called on nominees, who want to run for the membership of the Higher Islamic Council, to submit their candidacy by Thursday.
The general directorate pointed out on Wednesday that the elections will be held on April 14 at 11:00 a.m. according to Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani's decision.
Full StoryDelegations from the March 14 opposition coalition visited on Thursday the gravesites of the martyrs of Lebanon's Cedar Revolution on the 8th anniversary of the movement.
Officials from the alliance laid flowers at their graves in different areas in Lebanon.
Full StoryThe fourth annual report on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s activities was sent this week to Prime Minister Najib Miqati and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
“Our aim is to help the people of Lebanon restore in full the operation of the rule of law in Lebanon, so that they and their families may enjoy the peace and tranquility that is their birthright,” STL President Judge Sir David Baragwanath, noted in the report, which is available on the Tribunal's website.
Full StoryHundreds of protesters staged a sit-in Saturday in the Masnaa-Bar Elias area in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa valley, the main road linking Beirut to Damascus, blocking the passage of fuel tankers to war-torn Syria.
The demonstration, organized by the Association of Muslim Scholars, was staged in the eastern Bekaa Valley to stem fuel supplies intended for forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Full StoryThe Deputy Registrar of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon said Friday the court had “faith” in the judgment of Pre-Trial Judge Daniel Fransen, a day after he postponed the provisional March 25 start date for trials.
“We have faith in Judge Fransen's judgment, and he knows best if the case is ready for trial,” said Daryl Mundis, the Deputy Registrar, in a Q&A session on twitter.
Full StoryFormer Prime Minister Saad Hariri stated on Saturday that those “protecting the killers of late PM Rafik Hariri have no right to talk about his history”.
Hariri's Twitter statement came as a response to Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's Saturday speech during which he said the late PM was supportive of the party's arms until “peace was reached in the Middle East”.
Full StoryPrime Minister Najib Miqati headed on Friday a meeting for previous premiers to brief them on the results of the discussions with Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani to resolve the dispute over the elections of the Higher Islamic Council.
The meeting was held in presence of former PMs Fouad Saniora and Salim al-Hoss in the absence of former PM Omar Karami.
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