Special Tribunal for Lebanon Contempt Judge Nicola Lettieri scheduled a pre-trial conference in the case against Al Jadeed S.A.L./NEW T.V. S.A.L. and Karma Mohamed Tahsin al-Khayat for November 3, announced the tribunal in a statement on Tuesday.

The Amicus Curiae Prosecutor submitted his views on the start of trial on October 23, arguing that he needs at least four to five weeks to prepare for trial including arranging the appearance of witnesses.

The head of the international tribunal's defense office, Francois Roux, has said the renewal of the court's mandate was necessary to continue the trial in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's Feb. 2005 assassination case.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is currently hearing witness testimonies. This stage won't end by March 2015 and would be followed by the defense teams' presentation of evidence, Roux told As Safir newspaper in an interview published on Monday.

A Special Tribunal for Lebanon appeals panel on Thursday reversed a decision by the Contempt Judge, who had ruled that the court does not have jurisdiction to sue al-Jadeed television on charges of contempt.

“The Appeals Panel of three judges appointed to consider an appeal relating to the STL’s jurisdiction in (the case against New TV S.A.L) has decided by majority that the STL does have jurisdiction to hear cases of obstruction of justice against legal persons (corporate entities),” the STL said in a statement.

Special Tribunal for Lebanon Contempt Judge Nicola Lettieri issued on Tuesday an order scheduling a status conference in the case against Akhbar Beirut S.A.L. and Ibrahim Mohamed Ali al-Amin for September 12.

In his order, Lettieri invited Amin to participate in the status conference, which will start at 3 PM (CET), announced the STL in a statement.

Special Tribunal for Lebanon spokesman Marten Youssef announced on Tuesday he is stepping down from his post for personal reasons, reported the National News Agency.

He told the agency that his resignation will not affect the functioning of the tribunal that is looking into the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon ruled on Thursday that trying al-Jadeed television over contempt does not fall into its jurisdiction, dismissing hence the charges filed against the TV network.

“The tribunal does not have the jurisdiction to look into the charges issued against al-Jadeed TV,” STL Contempt Judge Nicola Lettieri announced during an STL session in The Hague.

A hearing for the issuance of a decision on jurisdiction in the contempt case against New TV S.A.L and al-Jadeed TV journalist Karma al-Khayat has been scheduled for Thursday, July 24, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon said on Friday.

“In this hearing (Contempt) Judge Nicola Lettieri will issue a decision on the jurisdiction of the Tribunal to hear cases of contempt with respect to legal persons,” the STL added.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon amicus curiae, Kenneth Scott, filed a veiled request to Contempt Judge Nicola Lettieri to issue an arrest warrant against al-Akhbar editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin.

According to al-Akhbar newspaper published on Wednesday, Scott said in his request that al-Amin doesn't acknowledge the STL nor its rights to charge him.

Head of the international tribunal's defense office Francois Roux assigned a Lebanese lawyer to defend the accused in the case against Akhbar Beirut S.A.L. and its editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin.

Al-Akhabr newspaper reported on Tuesday that Lebanese lawyer Antonios F. Abou Kasm will defend the journalist and the media organization, which are charged with contempt for knowingly and willfully interfering with the administration of justice.

The defense team of Hizbullah member Hassan Merhi told the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on Thursday that it should not rush the trial in ex-PM Rafik Hariri's assassination before giving it the adequate time to prepare for the proceedings.

The lead counsel said on the second day of the trial's resumption that Merhi's lawyers are unable to develop a detailed line of defense because the trial started in a staggered manner.