Lebanese-Americans, U.S. Officials Reject Threats and Back Tribunal

The Arab American Institute and the American Task Force for Lebanon said following a meeting between a group of Lebanese Americans and Obama administration officials that Lebanon must have stability and justice.

"We support the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), and reject the notion that Lebanon must choose between stability and justice," said a statement released by AAI and ATFL on Tuesday.

"Lebanon can and must have both, and must further provide for an open, fair and transparent judicial process to ensure that justice is done," it said.

The statement rejected threats and urged Lebanese parties to remain calm.

The conferees also urged the Obama administration to continue to support Lebanon's national unity government and safeguard the country against violent escalation.

AAI President James Zogby said: "For far too long, political assassinations have been committed with impunity in Lebanon, and the murderers of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri must be brought to justice in order to bring an end to this era of impunity."

ATFL Executive Director George Cody also hoped that Hariri's "tragic death and the trials of the accused will spell the end of the heinous practice of political killing in Lebanon."