‘Implicit Understanding’ to Fund STL Over Fears of Sanctions on Lebanese Banking Sector
Lebanese leaders have reached an “implicit understanding” to fund the international tribunal after receiving Western warnings about possible sanctions if Lebanon rejects to pay its share of funds, An Nahar daily reported Friday.
The newspaper said that President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Premier Najib Miqati have been informed by Western officials that any procrastination in the payment of Lebanon’s share would expose it to sanctions that could target its banking sector.
Hizbullah, which calls the Special Tribunal for Lebanon an American and Israeli tool, is also aware of the dangers of such a warning, An Nahar said.
Upon his return from New York end of September, Miqati could transfer the funds to the foreign ministry, which in turn would pay the $32 million owed by Lebanon, it added.
Meanwhile, STL spokesman Marten Youssef told An Nahar that the court was sure that the premier would fulfill his promises.
“It’s true that other countries contribute to the funding of the court but this doesn’t mean that we are not waiting for Lebanon’s contribution,” he said.
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