US to Lebanon Allies: Reducing Tension in Your Interest

The United States called for "less tension" on Friday in Lebanon, amid an escalating political crisis triggered by the US-piloted tribunal investigating the assassination of Former PM Rafiq Hariri.

"It's in the interest of the many friends of Lebanon, in the region and internationally to help reduce the tension, to help create an atmosphere for the Lebanese to be able to make decisions on behalf of Lebanon," US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffery Feltman said.

In a briefing on the range of UNGA meetings involving Middle East issues, former Ambassador to Lebanon reiterated US support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) set up three years ago in line with a UN Security Council resolution, warning "the special tribunal for Lebanon should not be politicized". 

Political tension in Lebanon has been escalating as trying the false witnesses who have misled the investigations is being stalled. Lebanese PM Saad Hariri acknowledged the existence of false witnesses and presented an apology to Syria, as the March 14 bloc had blamed it for 5 consecutive years of being behind the assassination.

Hizbullah stresses if such indictment was issued, it will be regarded as unacceptable, and as a US invasion that will be dealt with.