Belgian FM Hails Miqati, Bilateral Relations with Lebanon

Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders praised on Wednesday the Lebanese government for funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and hailed the Belgian-Lebanese bilateral relations.

“We are eager to continue our cooperation with the United Nations Security Council for the upcoming three years,” Reynders said after meeting with Prime Minister Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail.

In January, Miqati announced that he had transferred Lebanon's share of funding to the tribunal probing the Feb. 14, 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is expected to renew the STL cooperation protocol with Lebanon, which expires at the end of February, for another three years.

“We are looking forward to implement the tribunal’s work,” Reynders said.

The FM also noted that the bilateral relations between the two countries are “excellent.”

Concerning the regional and international developments, Reynders stressed that his country holds onto the importance of resuming the political dialogue between countries.

“We don’t expect a breakthrough regarding the peace course especially while France and the United States of America are holding elections this year,” he stated.

On the situation in Syria, Reynders said that the current bloodshed should stop “whether through imposing pressure on the Syrian regime or through dialogue.

“The most important thing is for the crisis not to spill over Lebanon and have repercussions on its local situation.”

The Belgian FM also held separate talks with Speaker Nabih Berri and FM Adnan Mansour.

He arrived in Lebanon on Tuesday on an official visit.