Naharnet

Qassem Holds Talks with Pietton on STL and Indictment: Hizbullah has the Right to Defend Itself

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed on Friday the party's right to defend itself regarding an indictment that may accuse some of its members of being involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

He made his stand after holding talks with French Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and current developments, reported As Safir Saturday.

The ambassador repeated his country's support for the tribunal, while Qassem spoke at length about it and criticized France's enthusiasm over the STL's formation.

He reiterated Hizbullah's position that the tribunal is being politicized, adding that the investigation has been selective in its conduct in that it has ignored considering Israel as a prime suspect in the assassination.

The paper said that Qassem's statements to Pietton were not reassuring, but they stressed that the party has the right to defend itself with the means of defense being determined by the extent of the attack.


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