Moscow Calls for Resignation of Lebanese Cabinet if it Fails to Fund STL

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Russia has informed Hizbullah that the March 8 forces should resign from the government and form a new cabinet that remains committed to international resolutions if the Shiite party and its allies rejected to fund the international tribunal, diplomatic sources said.

The sources told An Nahar daily published Sunday that Moscow’s stance was announced during a meeting last week between the Russian deputy foreign minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, and a Hizbullah delegation led by MP Mohammed Raad.

The meeting lasted only 40 minutes and not two and a half hours as media reports in Beirut said, the sources stressed.

“The government that includes both Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement should resign, and let a new cabinet that abides by Lebanon’s commitments be formed,” they quoted Bogdanov as telling the delegation when it stressed that the Shiite party and the FPM reject the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

The sources also said that Moscow tasked its ambassador in Beirut, Alexander Zasypkin, to inform Lebanese officials that Lebanon should fulfill its commitments toward the STL that is set to try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s suspected assassins.

Zasypkin is relaying to the officials the warning that the U.N. Security Council which has established the tribunal through a resolution would implement sanctions against Lebanon if it fails to fund the STL.

The sources stressed that Russia remains committed to its stance that the court should be allowed to carry out its work under the best circumstances and that the criminals in Hariri’s case and other assassinations should be punished.

Comments 14
Default-user-icon suspicious (Guest) 30 October 2011, 08:46

russia... an ally of the syrian regime and friend of iran and growing enemy of the West .... asking march 8 to resign or cooperate with STL ? something is fishy about this.

Thumb thepatriot 30 October 2011, 09:49

So...what's next?
Is Raad gonna travel to china now?? ;-)

Missing realist 30 October 2011, 10:18

Those idiots think that just cause Russia vetoed a UN resolution against Syria (in typical russian routine to get a higher price for their approval) that they are willing to vote again in favor of the hizzies...That Russia that approved the STL under the 7th mandate will act like a child and change its mind thus committing a completely stupid political blunder lol. This is the same sheer stupidity of those who killed hariri.. those who think bashar is there forever.. those who can not see beyond their nose.. those who end up in the history bins.

Default-user-icon N (Guest) 30 October 2011, 11:29

Now we are going to hear from Hizb supporters that Russian is part of the zionest conspiracy!

Missing small.axe 30 October 2011, 11:41

Good news if true. This shows that the evidence obtained by the STL is indisputable. Hizzies are gonna get fried.

Default-user-icon MUSTAPHA O. GHALAYINI (Guest) 30 October 2011, 13:37

there will be a no fly zone over the STL

Thumb Chupachups 30 October 2011, 13:49

lol hezbo's went to russia, and came back empty handed

Default-user-icon Truly Lebanese (Guest) 30 October 2011, 14:17

Bashar will be over soon he begins to feel it (cf his empty rethoric) to follow Hizbollah and the general big failure.

Since this idiot has along history of playing the losing horse (unlike Jumblatt) I was really happy when he joined Bashar and Hizb

Default-user-icon Robilio (Guest) 30 October 2011, 14:20

Not a problem. No pity in the demise of a useless cabinet headed by a useless president and a gutless PM. Another one will be formed in no time, but unfortunately the useless president will remain regardless. It's not the end of the world.

Default-user-icon Le PheneChien (Guest) 30 October 2011, 15:06

Chavez is awaiting his visitors: Habal, Bigdig and Raad
Unfortunately Assad hands are full right now and he is already busy dealing with his own problems, let's see how many Countries would support your move (i.e. Zero).
Admit that just like you drove the car to the building housing the Marines in Beirut and killed 300 of them by destroying the entire building, the same exact car exploded near Harriri when he passed in a close proximity to the other scenario.

Default-user-icon aboul abed (Guest) 30 October 2011, 16:41

we will never fund the stl and they can all go to hell or war....

Default-user-icon Gabby (Guest) 30 October 2011, 17:25

The Chinese and the Russians are getting cover from the non-funding of the STL by the Hezz, and by the Arab league relationship to Syria. Syria will have a resolution against it in the next UN security council vote. Then the Hezz will be targeted.

That is pretty hilarious.....Mr. Charming Raad went to Russia and came back with a statement like this from the Russians. Raad, your charm seems to have faded.

Default-user-icon John from Koura (Guest) 30 October 2011, 23:00

One report last time in the Naharnet said that Russia will veto any resolution against Lebanon, and now this "source" says differently. Does anyone really believe that Lebanon is the one country in the world who always must follow International "commitments"?.

Thumb geha 31 October 2011, 09:47

it is either they pay or bye bye Lebanon banking system. no need for UN resolutions, thus Russia who knows that, knows they cannot veto, thus they prefer to allign with the international community at least in appearance.