Baragwanath: Beirut Visit Has Given Me Confidence that Impunity in Lebanon Will End

President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Judge Sir David Baragwanath stressed on Monday that the main purpose of the tribunal is to bring the killers of Lebanese citizens to justice.

He said in a statement in light of his recent visit to Lebanon: “Last week's visit to Beirut has given me great confidence that our mandate of challenging impunity will be fulfilled.”

The president of the tribunal, accompanied by Vice-President Judge Riachi and Chef de Cabinet Guido Acquaviva, arrived in Lebanon on November 22 where he held talks with President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi, and General Prosecutor Saeed Mirza.

They also met leaders of the universities, as well as diplomatic representatives and the heads of the legal profession.

“I was particularly heartened by the determination of the representatives of the Lebanese people to work for the rule of law and long-term stability,” Baragwanath stated.

“The tribunal, comprising professional judges selected internationally and including senior members of the Lebanese judiciary, is a transitional institution,” he stressed.

“We are determined to conclude our job as swiftly as fairness allows,” he added.

“I am convinced that the strength of the legal and academic communities of Lebanon will allow the administration of justice in the country to attain new heights,” said the STL president.

“The support we are receiving will allow the STL to contribute to securing the stability that everybody, the killers aside, so earnestly desires, which will open new opportunities for Lebanon,” he concluded.

Baragwanath reportedly warned senior officials last week that if Lebanon didn’t commit to the funding of the STL then the international community will resort to the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on it.

“Lebanon has to remain credible and implement its international commitments, or else the issue will be referred to the U.N. Security Council,” As Safir newspaper on Thursday quoted the STL president as telling the officials.

Lebanon has to pay its share of about $33 million dollars for the tribunal which has charged four Hizbullah members in the February 14, 2005 assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others.

The STL has created controversy in Lebanon, as Hizbullah and its allies that dominate the cabinet refuse to pay Lebanon’s share, while the March 14-led opposition insists on the government to meet the country’s international obligations.

The cabinet is expected to tackle the issue during a session scheduled to be held on November 30.