Naharnet

Jumblat: Miqati Government Won't and Cannot Terminate STL

Druze leader Walid Jumblat assured March 14 forces that Najib Miqati's would-be government will not and cannot stop the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

"Miqati's government is not willing to terminate the international tribunal because no one, except for the Security Council, can terminate it," Jumblat said in remarks published Wednesday by Al-Akhbar newspaper.

"But we need to work to prevent the negative repercussions of the (STL) indictment," he stressed.

Jumblat said he will seek, together with Miqati and President Michel Suleiman, to form a "centrist bloc," but sensed sabotage tactics by the U.S. and the West.

"What kind of sabotage will the U.S. and the West carry out?" he wondered.

Jumblat hailed Miqati as a "man of confidence." He also lauded Suleiman for his mediation effort.

He said both Suleiman and Miqati are seeking to form an "effective" government," contrary to rumors launched by March 14 forces and Marwan Hamadeh that say the Hizbullah-led March 8 coalition wants to change the government into a new security regime.


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