Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Paris, December 31, 2013)

Excerpts:
Special Tribunal for Lebanon - Payment by the Lebanese authorities of their contribution
France welcomes the payment by the Lebanese authorities of their contribution to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for 2013.
Following the murder of Mohammed Chattah, it reaffirms its support for the Lebanese government in its determination to combat all forms of terrorism and its commitment to combating impunity.
The forthcoming opening of hearings in the trial in relation to the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri will be a significant milestone in this respect.

Funding for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 30, 2013


The United States welcomes Lebanon's decision to fulfill its 2013 funding obligations to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. We recognize and commend caretaker Prime Minister Mikati's strong leadership in ensuring that the government met this important commitment. We fully support the work of the Tribunal and its efforts to find and hold accountable those responsible for reprehensible and destabilizing acts of violence in Lebanon.

The December 27 assassination bombing in Beirut is a stark reminder that for too long, Lebanon has suffered from a culture of impunity for those who use murder and terror to promote their political agenda against the interests of the Lebanese people. The Tribunal, working with the Government of Lebanon, will help end this impunity by providing a transparent, fair process to determine responsibility for the terrorist attack that killed former Prime Minister Hariri and scores of others.

Continued financial support and ongoing cooperation by Lebanon's political, judicial, and law enforcement authorities are critical to the Tribunal's work. That is why the United States has provided strong financial support to the Tribunal since its inception, and we will continue to do so. We urge the international community to continue to support the Tribunal and the Government of Lebanon to achieve the shared goals of ensuring justice and ending impunity. We stand with the Lebanese people in these efforts and will continue to do so.