Miqati Says False Witnesses Will be Tackled at the 'Appropriate Time'

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Saturday that the false witnesses issue will be tackled at the appropriate time.

“We’re merely waiting for the right time to tackle the issue as there are matters concerning the Judicial body that we need to resolve first,” Miqati said during an interview with al-Jazeera satellite channel.

Asked about Lebanon’s payment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon funds, he said that “I did it for Lebanon’s dignity.”

“The funding of the tribunal isn’t an accomplishment but the achievement is when other countries implement the international resolutions linked to Lebanon.”

In November, the PM announced that he had transferred Lebanon's share of funds for the U.N.-backed court probing the murder of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, averting a crisis that threatened the collapse of his government.

Miqati denied reports saying that Syrian authorities had forced him to fund the STL, saying: “The decision of funding came in Lebanon’s best interest.”

“I only coordinated my decision with President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri … I wasn’t waiting for Hizbullah’s consent, I clearly realize that the party can’t accept this issue, I understand its position as I believe they understand mine,” he added.

Concerning the efforts exerted by the Lebanese authorities to arrest the four indicted Hizbullah members, Miqati confirmed that Lebanon carried out its duties regarding the issue.

“I will not be an obstacle in the face of justice, but at the same time I’m against politicizing the tribunal,” he said.

On the issue of his threat if the STL wasn’t funded, he said that “the resignation isn’t an aim as much as it was to express a stance he can take if the funding wasn’t approved (by the cabinet).”

Miqati noted that he “couldn’t” carry on with his tasks without implementing Lebanon’s international obligations.

Asked about the cabinet’s situation, he said: “The cabinet reached a new stage, and I call on the ministers to work” and to dismiss any dispute in order to maintain the national interest.

Commenting on the turmoil hitting Syria and the sanctions imposed by the Arab League, the premier said that Lebanon’s stance is “critical,” noting that the cabinet’s decision to dissociate itself on any decision taken on Syria aims at preserving the “national interest.”

“We want to prevent the Syrian situation repercussions on Lebanon,” Miqati said.

Syrian President Bashar Assad has refused to let investigators from two U.N. human rights inquiries enter Syria, and his regime is resisting Arab League calls to accept monitors despite being hit by crippling sanctions.