Report: Miqati Promised Ban Lebanon’s Payment of STL Funds Share

Premier Najib Miqati has promised U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon to pay Lebanon’s full share of funds to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, a high-ranking diplomat said.

The diplomat told An Nahar daily published Saturday that Miqati’s pledge came during an unannounced meeting he held with Ban on the sidelines of the Friends of Libya conference in Paris earlier in the month.

Lebanon will pay its full share of funds to the STL, Miqati allegedly told Ban.

Media reports had said that the prime minister’s office would most likely transfer the funds to the foreign ministry, which in turn would pay the $32 million owed this month.

Asked by An Nahar about his meeting with Miqati, Ban confirmed he held talks with him and said the Lebanese premier is a “nice person.”

“Lebanon should pay its 49 percent share to the court,” he added.