Officials Holding Closed-Door Discussions over STL Funding
Lebanese officials are holding closed-door talks as the deadline for Lebanon’s payment of its share of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon funds approaches, As Safir newspaper reported Tuesday.
Ministerial sources told the newspaper that the officials aim at finding an appropriate solution for the issue “to protect the government from any repercussions and Lebanon’s relations with the international community.”
The sources said that the cabinet was mulling several scenarios related to the funding of the court whether by proposing a draft law in the parliament or through a consensual decision approved by the cabinet before it reaches the parliament.
“What we are sure about is that Lebanon will pay its share in the end, thereby funding the STL and fortifying the cabinet,” the daily quoted the sources as saying.
Prime Minister Najib Miqati said on Sunday that the government will pay its $32 million share of funds to the STL.
The tribunal issued a statement on Monday reminding of the arrest warrants against four Hizbullah members.
Salim Ayyash and Mustafa Badreddine face five charges including that of "committing a terrorist act by means of an explosive device" and homicide, while Hussein Onaissi and Assad Sabra face charges of conspiring to commit the same acts.
Judge Antonio Cassese, President of the STL, urged the suspects to appear at the court “to defend themselves and rule out the charges against them.”
“The tribunal measures will be according to the highest international standards,” Cassese said.
The whereabouts of the four men are currently unknown.
Court Registrar Herman von Hebel said in August that a trial could start at around mid-2012.
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