Paris Joins U.S. in Warning Lebanon of Consequences over Lack of STL Funding

France has joined the United States in warning Lebanon that its failure to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon would negatively impact French-Lebanese bilateral ties.

In an interview with pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat published on Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said: “We ask the Lebanese government to allow the international tribunal to carry out its work and renew its mandate.”

He said Premier Najib Miqati informed Paris that he intends to fund the STL. “I know that he is facing the opposition of Hizbullah but this issue is extremely important to us.”

“It will impact our relations with Lebanon if the Lebanese government does not abide by its commitments,” Juppe warned.

His remarks came less than one week after U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman said: "If Lebanon is unable to produce its share of the funding for the Special Tribunal, we're going to have to take some pretty tough decisions, and I think you're going to see some consequences in terms of the U.S.-Lebanese bilateral relationship.”

"I’d expect the same thing in terms of some other countries as well,” he said.

Lebanon is responsible for meeting 49 percent of the costs of the STL, which has charged four Hizbullah members in the Feb. 2005 assassination of ex-premier Rafik Hariri.

But the Hizbullah-dominated government has yet to pay its share, estimated at $33 million.

Asked about the disappearance of Syrian activists in Lebanon and the repatriation of Syrians who have escaped the bloody crackdown by the Assad regime on protestors, Juppe said: “The repatriation of Syrians who have escaped their country puts them under the danger of arrest and torture.”

“Under humanitarian principles, we hope that they won’t be sent back to their country,” the French FM said.