Paris Denies Sarkozy Comments on STL Decision

France has denied comments attributed to President Nicolas Sarkozy that the decision of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon lies in the hands of the U.S.

Media sources in Paris quoted French officials as saying that Sarkozy stressed that the STL is "independent" and that "no one can pressure it (court) toward postponing the issuance of the charge sheet because all the elements associated with this resolution are not in the hands of France nor America nor the States funding the tribunal."

France on Tuesday was said to have informed Saudi Arabia that a solution to the STL indictment lies in Washington's hands.

As Safir daily said Tuesday that Saudi King Abdullah sent Intelligence Chief Prince Muqrin to Paris for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

It said Muqrin carried with him a royal message asking Paris to use its influence to find a settlement to the indictment issue.

French authorities, according to As-Safir, informed the envoy that the court decision lies in the hands of the U.S.

It said Saudi envoys have visited the U.S. for the same purpose.