Cassese to Hariri, Ban: It's Our Firm Intention Not to Bow to Any Act of Interference, Intimidation

Judge Antonio Cassese, President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, on Friday stressed STL's "firm intention not to bow to any act of interference and intimidation in carrying out our mandate in an independent and fair manner."

In separate letters addressed to Premier Saad Hariri and U.N. chief Ban Ki Moon, Cassese conveyed the tribunal's "great concern about the incident which took place in Beirut on 27 October and resulted in the injury of STL staff and the unlawful removal of STL property."

Cassese reassured both Hariri and Ban that "this most regrettable incident will not be allowed to jeopardize the work of the tribunal in discharging its truth-seeking mission for the Lebanese people and the international community."

The president of the STL also underscored "that the tribunal continues to act independently in accordance with its legal framework."

On the other hand, Cassese stated that both he and the tribunal's staff greatly appreciate "the strong commitment of Lebanon to cooperation with the Special Tribunal and the U.N. Secretary General's calls for all parties to refrain from interfering in the tribunal's work."