Lebanon PM transfers funds to STL

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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.

“This morning, I transferred Lebanon’s share of funding to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL),” Mikati said in a surprise announcement on Wednesday.

“I vow to put the stability and safety of Lebanon above any other interest,” he said.

“This does not constitute a victory for one party over another,” the premier told reporters. “This represents a gain for the Lebanese state and institutions.”

“I don’t want to be head of a government that fails to honour its international obligations and pulls the country out of the Arab and international community,” the premier said.

It was unclear whether his decision to transfer the funds had the blessing of his cabinet.

Mikati last week threatened to resign should his government refuse to fund the STL, and the issue was to be discussed on Wednesday at a cabinet meeting that was postponed.

Hezbollah, one bloc in the cabinet, has said it opposes funding the tribunal which it describes as an Israeli tool aimed at targeting the resistance movement. It has enough votes with its ministerial allies to block any decision by the cabinet.

Michel Aoun, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, the single largest bloc in cabinet, has called the STL a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Addressing his party members on Tuesday, Aoun said: “Everybody knows the STL is unlawful and we will leave this issue up for cabinet to resolve.”

Collapsed government

Mikati came to power in January after the government of Hariri’s son, Saad, collapsed in a dispute over the STL. The opposition at the time, known as the March 8 coalition, wanted Lebanon to cut all links with it, while the government at the time, known as the March 14 coaltion, refused.

In July 2011, the STL indicted four Hezbollah members over the 2005 bombing that killed Rafik Hariri and 21 other people on the Beirut seafront. Hezbollah strongly denied any role in the killing.

Mikati has always said his government would honour Lebanon’s international commitments. The court has asked Lebanon to pay more than $30m this year, or 49 per cent of its 2011 budget.

Aljazeera

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Comments

46 responses to “Lebanon PM transfers funds to STL”

  1. prophettt Avatar

    Lebanese never fails to find “creative ” solutions to get things done.
    I don’t understand what the fuzz was all about if this solution to financing the STL   was an option  available to the Prime Minster.
    This so called crisis over  funding  the STL was just another act by Lebanese politicians.
    The most remarkable of what Mikati announced this morning is His insistence that “This does not constitute a victory for one party over another”In other word, The everlasting rule of “”LA GHALEB  WELA MAGHLOUB” will always be present.
    In other word, No hope for Lebanon as long as we live life day by day.

  2.  Avatar

    Lebanese never fail to find “creative ” solutions to get things done.
    I don’t understand what the fuzz was all about if this solution to financing the STL   was an option  available to the Prime Minster.
    This so called crisis over  funding  the STL was just another act by Lebanese politicians.
    The most remarkable of what Mikati announced this morning is His insistence that “This does not constitute a victory for one party over another”In other word, The everlasting rule of “”LA GHALEB  WELA MAGHLOUB” will always be present.
    In other word, No hope for Lebanon as long as we live life day by day.

  3.  Avatar

    Lebanese never fail to find “creative ” solutions to get things done.
    I don’t understand what the fuzz was all about if this solution to financing the STL   was an option  available to the Prime Minster.
    This so called crisis over  funding  the STL was just another act by Lebanese politicians.
    The most remarkable of what Mikati announced this morning is His insistence that “This does not constitute a victory for one party over another”In other word, The everlasting rule of “”LA GHALEB  WELA MAGHLOUB” will always be present.
    In other word, No hope for Lebanon as long as we live life day by day.

  4. Although in principle I do agree on the STL principles I still have a MAJOR MAJOR problem with the funding. $30 million belongs to the people of Lebanon not to those ludicrously paid investigators who are living off the flesh of our nation and taking years to come up with results… Enough already.

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      Considering that this is only 49% of the cost, and that all other UN countries punt the 51%, perhaps we should all be looking at who calculates the bills, what they are for, and who drives the costs upwards – while lengthening the process. Hmmmm …. 
      Although I’m sure we know why it was necessary in the first place to ask for international help.

  5. Although in principle I do agree on the STL principles I still have a MAJOR MAJOR problem with the funding. $30 million belongs to the people of Lebanon not to those ludicrously paid investigators who are living off the flesh of our nation and taking years to come up with results… Enough already.

    1.  Avatar

      Considering that this is only 49% of the cost, and that all other UN countries punt the 51%, perhaps we should all be looking at who calculates the bills, what they are for, and who drives the costs upwards – while lengthening the process. Hmmmm …. 
      Although I’m sure we know why it was necessary in the first place to ask for international help.

  6. Although in principle I do agree on the STL principles I still have a MAJOR MAJOR problem with the funding. $30 million belongs to the people of Lebanon not to those ludicrously paid investigators who are living off the flesh of our nation and taking years to come up with results… Enough already.

  7. This is a classic case of blackmail imposed on a tiny country for humanitarian reason.

    1. antar2011 Avatar

      it is not blackmail, it is called abiding to contracts and so promises….something m8 politicians choose to ignore all the time.

      1. Sebouh80 Avatar

        Screw March 8 ta yelhak March 14 politicians. Okay if this is not a blackmail.Than why did we continuously hear open warning threats from the representatives of the international community that if Lebanon abstains from honouring these obligations then a full economic sanctions will be imposed on the country. What do you call this antar?

        1. antar2011 Avatar

          you do not blackmail someone when you remind him to pay his due as he previously agreed to and warn him of the cosequences as he already knows when he signed the contract.

          it is not blackmail bro, the lebanese govt know all about it and signed.

          in contrast to the way in lebanon, the international community in its international dealings, likes pple to abide by their promises. 

  8.  Avatar

    This is a classic case of blackmail imposed on a tiny country for humanitarian reason.

    1.  Avatar

      it is not blackmail, it is called abiding to contracts and so promises….something m8 politicians choose to ignore all the time.

      1.  Avatar

        Screw March 8 ta yelhak March 14 politicians. Okay if this is not a blackmail.Than why did we continuously hear open warning threats from the representatives of the international community that if Lebanon abstains from honouring these obligations then a full economic sanctions will be imposed on the country. What do you call this antar?

        1.  Avatar

          you do not blackmail someone when you remind him to pay his due as he previously agreed to and warn him of the cosequences as he already knows when he signed the contract.

          it is not blackmail bro, the lebanese govt know all about it and signed.

          in contrast to the way in lebanon, the international community in its international dealings, likes pple to abide by their promises. 

  9. Prophett,
     
    How are you brother always enjoy reading ur posts hope all is well with you and your family, I just wanted to say now that they got there funding it will be interesting now what the 14 of march boys will cry bout now,I think Mikati called there bluff and they didnt think in a million years he would go against HA and Aoun so they kept the smear campaign going against him,I do think its a waiste of the peoples money I mean Harriiri died with most of the poor Lebanese money and even after his death he still costing the Lebanese money what a shame, 33 million dollars can go a long way to feeding the poor and building schools and getting books,but I guess some Lebanese would rather trust a western isralie controlled court than see the money used to better there futures,none the less nothing will change except now Mikati gave the international community the power to create the war in Lebanon they have been waiting for and all for a man that came to lebanon with 1 billion dollars and died with 16 billion dollars,lebanon is such  a shittty country cause its got such shitty rotten people….well congrats to my fellow lebanese on your great victory funding the court

    1. LEBANON101 Avatar

      yep because that money was really going to be used to build schools and feed the poor. go ask aoun how much money he has stolen . money that was going to be used to help the people. the truth must be known

    2. LEBANON101 Avatar

      yep because that money was really going to be used to build schools and feed the poor. go ask aoun how much money he has stolen . money that was going to be used to help the people. the truth must be known

    3. prophettt Avatar

      Michael,
      Speaking of crybabies, and not to sound like one myself, I’m as well as I can be. I hope you are well too.
      I enjoy reading your comments as well, and I hope you don’t let yourself get frustrated with this blog, lol.
      I have a slightly different understanding of what transpired with the so called STL funding crisis.
      I will leave the discussion of legality and constitutionality of Mikati’s action to the experts, who will split-hair this for a long time.
      HA, Aoun, and Berri opposed,and stated that they won’t approve the funding through the Cabinet and the parliament, but they never said they would stop it if it was done outside of these two institutions. Re-reading everything Aoun, and Nasrallah said about this issue, I could not find one word that indicated that they would stop the funding, or resign if it was done as long as they didn’t have to approve it through the cabinet or the parliament.(unless someone shows me a text that indicates otherwise).Remember when Nassralah said that Mikati can always fund the STL from his own pocket?
      This so called crisis, was created to boost Mikati’s position among his own constituency, and make M14 look like real crybabies.
      No one wants a political vacuum, and it is a political game, where HA and his allies can always say we didn’t approve the funding, and Mikati can always say He delivered his promise to fund The STL, and He honored Lebanon’s obligations toward the international community.
      It won’t be long before we find out the secret part of this deal. Mikati had a price to pay for this, and the other side got something in return.

    4. prophettt Avatar

      Michael,
      Speaking of crybabies, and not to sound like one myself, I’m as well as I can be. I hope you are well too.
      I enjoy reading your comments as well, and I hope you don’t let yourself get frustrated with this blog, lol.
      I have a slightly different understanding of what transpired with the so called STL funding crisis.
      I will leave the discussion of legality and constitutionality of Mikati’s action to the experts, who will split-hair this for a long time.
      HA, Aoun, and Berri opposed,and stated that they won’t approve the funding through the Cabinet and the parliament, but they never said they would stop it if it was done outside of these two institutions. Re-reading everything Aoun, and Nasrallah said about this issue, I could not find one word that indicated that they would stop the funding, or resign if it was done as long as they didn’t have to approve it through the cabinet or the parliament.(unless someone shows me a text that indicates otherwise).Remember when Nassralah said that Mikati can always fund the STL from his own pocket?
      This so called crisis, was created to boost Mikati’s position among his own constituency, and make M14 look like real crybabies.
      No one wants a political vacuum, and it is a political game, where HA and his allies can always say we didn’t approve the funding, and Mikati can always say He delivered his promise to fund The STL, and He honored Lebanon’s obligations toward the international community.
      It won’t be long before we find out the secret part of this deal. Mikati had a price to pay for this, and the other side got something in return.

  10. Prophett,
     
    How are you brother always enjoy reading ur posts hope all is well with you and your family, I just wanted to say now that they got there funding it will be interesting now what the 14 of march boys will cry bout now,I think Mikati called there bluff and they didnt think in a million years he would go against HA and Aoun so they kept the smear campaign going against him,I do think its a waiste of the peoples money I mean Harriiri died with most of the poor Lebanese money and even after his death he still costing the Lebanese money what a shame, 33 million dollars can go a long way to feeding the poor and building schools and getting books,but I guess some Lebanese would rather trust a western isralie controlled court than see the money used to better there futures,none the less nothing will change except now Mikati gave the international community the power to create the war in Lebanon they have been waiting for and all for a man that came to lebanon with 1 billion dollars and died with 16 billion dollars,lebanon is such  a shittty country cause its got such shitty rotten people….well congrats to my fellow lebanese on your great victory funding the court

    1.  Avatar

      yep because that money was really going to be used to build schools and feed the poor. go ask aoun how much money he has stolen . money that was going to be used to help the people. the truth must be known

    2.  Avatar

      Michael,

      Speaking of crybabies, and not to sound like one myself, I’m
      as well as I can be. I hope you are well too.

       I enjoy reading your
      comments as well, and I hope you don’t let yourself get frustrated with this
      blog, lol.

      I have a slightly different understanding of what transpired
      with the so called STL funding crisis.

       I will leave the
      discussion of legality and constitutionality of Mikati’s action to the experts,who will split-hair this for a long time.

      HA, Aoun, and Berri opposed approving the funding through
      Cabinet and the parliament, but they never said they would stop it if it was
      done outside of these two institutions.  
      Re-reading everything Aoun, and Nasrallah said about this issue, I could
      not find one word that indicated that they would stop the funding, or resign if
      it was done as long as they didn’t have to approve it through the cabinet or
      the parliament. This whole so called crisis, was created to boost Mikati’s
      position among his own constituency, and make M14 look like real crybabies.

      No one wants a political vacuum, and it is a political game,
      where HA and his allies can always say we didn’t approve the funding, and
      Mikati can always say He delivered his promise to fund The STL, and He honored Lebanon’s
      obligations toward  the international community.

      It won’t be long before we find out the secret part of this
      deal. Mikati had a price to pay for this, and the other side got something in return.

  11. The transfer of funds to STL reminds me of the similarity between the kidnapper and his victim.

    In this case,  the kidnapper kidnaps his victim and asks for a ransom of say a million dollars or otherwise his victim will be killed if the funds are not arranged at a given notice.

    The reaction of PM Mikati and his cabinit members is like a frantic father who is desperately trying to negotiate the terms with the kidnappers for saving his son.

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      We know who the victims were Sebouh. Wait until judgement comes for the compensation of the ones still alive.

      1. Although I’m not against the judgement, but this has become a classic case of blackmail.

  12.  Avatar

    The transfer of funds to STL reminds me of the similarity between the kidnapper and his victim.

    In this case,  the kidnapper kidnaps his victim and asks for a ransom of say a million dollars or otherwise his victim will be killed if the funds are not arranged at a given notice.

    The reaction of PM Mikati and his cabinit members is like a frantic father who is desperately trying to negotiate the terms with the kidnappers for saving his son.

    1.  Avatar

      We know who the victims were Sebouh. Wait until judgement comes for the compensation of the ones still alive.

      1.  Avatar

        Although I’m not against the judgement, but this has become a classic case of blackmail.

  13. With the Dow Jones up 400 points today, Mikati figured $33 million is chump change so he wrote the check. No matter what happened it is still a shame that the UN putting Lebanon hostage to the will of foreign countries.
    It’s $11 for every single person in Lebanon or 2 Shawarma and a fallafel sandwiches, yummmm

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      Yes Libnan1. Much cheaper than ‘universal health-care’ will be … but we are all willing to pay our taxes for good things. Right? 😉

    2. Patience2 Avatar

      Throw in a Knafe and I’m with you!

  14.  Avatar

    With the Dow Jones up 400 points today, Mikati figured $33 million is chump change so he wrote the check. No matter what happened it is still a shame that the UN putting Lebanon hostage to the will of foreign countries.
    It’s $11 for every single person in Lebanon or 2 Shawarma and a fallafel sandwiches, yummmm

    1.  Avatar

      Yes Libnan1. Much cheaper than ‘universal health-care’ will be … but we are all willing to pay our taxes for good things. Right? 😉

    2.  Avatar

      Throw in a Knafe and I’m with you!

  15. Patience2 Avatar

    My hat is off to PM Mikati! (And POOP on Aoun’s opinion!)

  16. Patience2 Avatar

    My hat is off to PM Mikati! (And POOP on Aoun’s opinion!)

  17.  Avatar

    My hat is off to PM Mikati!

  18. antar2011 Avatar

    i am sorry but i thnik the way the STL was funded only stresses the sham of this govt.

    why hasn’t the prime minister explained the source of the funding?

    how can he just decide and confirm this without making a ministerial session today? otherwise why do we have govt with miisters? heck why do we even have a parliament?

    has he listened to Aoun and funded it from his own pocket money?
    if he has it is the greatest shame on a sunni official in the history of lebanon.he has no honour at all!

    i do not believe him having the country’s interests at heart….if he really does he would not have backstabbed a former prime minister to get ito that blasted position…

    but at the end od the day i did say that the STL will be funded and that he won’t resign…Assad needs this govt a lot now.

    i am disgusted at Mikati, it is insulting even to hear him sayig he cares about stability and lebanon..kazzab

  19.  Avatar

    i am sorry but i thnik the way the STL was funded only stresses the sham of this govt.

    why hasn’t the prime minister explained the source of the funding?

    how can he just decide and confirm this without making a ministerial session today? otherwise why do we have govt with miisters? heck why do we even have a parliament?

    has he listened to Aoun and funded it from his own pocket money?
    if he has it is the greatest shame on a sunni official in the history of lebanon.he has no honour at all!

    i do not believe him having the country’s interests at heart….if he really does he would not have backstabbed a former prime minister to get ito that blasted position…

    but at the end od the day i did say that the STL will be funded and that he won’t resign…Assad needs this govt a lot now.

    i am disgusted at Mikati, it is insulting even to hear him sayig he cares about stability and lebanon..kazzab

  20. Fauzia45 Avatar

    This is the first step!What about the next?Is it going to take as long ,?!!!

  21. Fauzia45 Avatar

    This is the first step!What about the next?Is it going to take as long ,?!!!

  22.  Avatar

    This is the first step!What about the next?Is it going to take as long ,?!!!

  23.  Avatar

    This is the first step!What about the next?Is it going to take as long ,?!!!

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