2 Options on Table of Policy Statement Committee Amid More Bickering on STL Clause

Prime Minister Najib Miqati has failed to bridge the gap between the cabinet’s centrist forces and mainly Hizbullah over the clause on the international tribunal in the policy statement, ministerial sources said.

The sources told al-Liwaa daily that consultations that Miqati held over the weekend away from the media spotlight failed to strike a deal between the two sides. The premier received a proposal from the Shiite party on the clause but the suggestion does not meet with Miqati’s own vision, the sources added.

The differences will prevent the 12-member committee tasked with drafting the policy statement from discussing the tribunal clause during Monday’s meeting, the newspaper said.

According to An Nahar daily, the consultations are focusing on two main options: Miqati’s proposal which seeks a commitment by Lebanon to international resolutions, and another suggesting not to refer to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the policy statement.

Miqati believes that the cabinet should avoid dangers particularly after he stressed to foreign diplomats that the policy statement would protect Lebanon and steer it clear of any clash with the international community, An Nahar said.

Ministerial sources told al-Liwaa that three proposals were dropped after Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement rejected them. The first proposal called for keeping the STL clause of the previous cabinet’s policy statement intact.

The other suggestion was based on adding the phrase “preserving stability, civil peace and Lebanon’s highest interest” to the tribunal clause.

The third proposal summarized the clause as follows: “Lebanon is committed to international covenants and the respect of legitimate international resolutions and stresses the truth behind the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri.”

It adds that “any political differences over the court should be referred to the national dialogue.”

Al-Liwaa said that Miqati is seeking to adopt a clause that does not embarrass despite receiving an alleged advice from an influential party to adopt a “vague and unclear” formula.

Druze leader Walid Jumblat’s bloc, which along with the president and the premier form the centrist forces in the cabinet, also stresses Lebanon’s respect for international resolutions.

Jumblat’s aide, Minister Ghazi Aridi, told An Nahar that the bloc’s ministers are holding talks with Miqati in the hopes that a version that is acceptable by all sides be adopted.

He also hoped that the clause would take into consideration the latest developments and would protect Lebanon.