Assad intervened personally to ensure STL funding

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad personally “intervened ” to ensure that Lebanon will finance the UN court probing former PM Rafik Hariri’s murder, Kuwaiti newspaper As-Seyassah reported on Saturday. (more…)

Lebanese Trial in Absentia Faces Many Obstacles to Justice

JURIST Guest Columnist Niccolò Pons, Assistant Legal Officer of the Pre-Trial Chambers of the International Criminal Court, says that there are many obstacles for the Lebanese court both in obtaining and carrying out a trial in absentia, but that it can still be an effective tool in furthering international justice and accountability… (more…)

MP Helou: The way Lebanon paid STL is illegal

Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Helou said on Thursday that the way Lebanon’s government paid its share of funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) was “illegal”.

Helou told OTV television station that Lebanon’s Central Bank is not allowed to grant loans to the public sector, unless faced with an exceptional situation.

“What happened was illegal,” Helou stressed. (more…)

UN wants Lebanon to fully cooperate with STL

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Robert Watkins conveyed on Thursday to Prime Minister Najib Mikati “the UN’s expectations that Lebanon would continue to uphold its remaining international obligations and to cooperate fully with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).” (more…)

Hezbollah approved the transfer of the funds to STL, report

Al Nahar newspaper reported that Speaker nabih Berri called PM Nagib Mikati Tuesday evening to inform him that Hezbollah has approved the transfer of Lebanon’s share for funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon , but the PM insisted on receiving the approval directly from Hezbollah . (more…)

US welcomes Mikati’s funding of Lebanon’s share of STL

Washington on Wednesday welcomed Lebanon’s decision to pay its dues to a UN-backed tribunal probing the murder of ex-premier Rafik Hariri but said the country’s commitment to the court did not stop with the funding. (more…)

Lebanon PM transfers funds to STL

Najib Mikati, Lebanon’s prime minister, said he had transferred its share of funding to a UN-backed court probing the murder of ex-premier Rafik Hariri, an issue that threatened to spark the collapse of his government.

He said the decision was in Lebanon’s interest and would protect the country from the upheavals shaking the region. (more…)

US envoy warns Lebanon over failure to fund STL

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly on Monday voiced the United States’ nconcern that Lebanon would suffer serious consequences if it fails to fulfill its commitments to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

She urged Lebanon to “meet all of international obligations” during a meeting with Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas. (more…)

Lebanese PM to quit if gov’t fails to fund STL

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Thursday that he would resign if his government fails to secure funding for a UN-backed court set up to probe the February 14, 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. (more…)

STL president: Lebanon is 11 months late in paying its share

President Michel Suleiman met with Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) President Judge Sir David Baragwanath during his first visit to Lebanon since he was appointed , National News Agency reported on Wednesday (more…)