STL Appoints Eight Defense Attorneys, Berri To Resume Dialogue

Shining as the sun crystals came the words of the Master of speech:

Hands are on arms, resistance is ready, enemy is battling, and our position on the regional developments is clear and they have to understand the existing equation:

America today is looking for a solution to the new political map set in our region and pressure on the Syrian regime forms only a corridor towards harvesting some gains after successive defeats in the political turf battles in Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, and Bahrain.

Lebanon, which broke the back of the enemy, will not turn to a ground of Washington's interests in striking the resistance; thus, Lebanon will not fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Secretary General of Hizbullah His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's messages were inconclusive but some no longer mastered reading resorting to an international diplomatic movement towards Beirut under the title of STL funding.

This comes as Saudi Arabia Kingdom turned to a pilgrimage site for visitors from Lebanese politics class to offer condolences the death of Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.

Lebanon in KSA, STL Funding Mobilized Locally, Internationally

Lebanese government did not meet Tuesday as previously scheduled due to the death of Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz. Prime Minister Najib Mikati returned to Beirut Tuesday night after heading an official delegation that took take part in the funeral of Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz.

Similarly, President Michel Suleiman will also travel to Riyadh Wednesday at the head of a ministerial delegation to offer his condolences to the Saudi king.

Lebanese papers reported that the government might meet at the Grand Serail under Mikati Wednesday if there is a quorum. However, ministerial sources said that "the government might hold an extraordinary session later this week if no quorum was available."

In meetings Tuesday with Suleiman, Mikati and House Speaker Nabih Berri, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jake Walles carried a message underscoring "the need for Lebanon to meet all of its international obligations, including cooperating with STL."

In the same context, the Chairperson of the European Union mission in Beirut Angelina Eichhorst announced the visit of European Commissioner for expansion and the European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Voulih this week to Lebanon.

"As-Safir" Lebanese daily informed that the EU diplomat is to meet Suleiman, Berri, Mikati and Foreign Minister Adnan al-Mansour as well as personalities from civil society.

"He will sign bilateral agreements with the Lebanese government that Eichhorst refused to unveil its nature until the Lebanese government gives its final word," the paper clarified.

In parallel, well-informed sources in The Hague told "as-Safir" that the Defense Office of the STL has appointed eight lawyers to defend the so-called "four accused in assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri."

"The lawyers are expected to show up for a Nov. 11 meeting designed to discuss measures and a mechanism for the trials in absentia," the paper added.

Aoun, Wahhab: No to STL Funding, US Interference

Meanwhile, "Change and Reform bloc" Leader MP Michel Aoun reiterated his rejection of the STL funding.

"We are not a party to an agreement to pay money to the tribunal. Whether we pay or not, the tribunal will continue. We are not against justice but we are against the funding because there is no justification for that," Aoun stressed.

Chairing the weekly meeting of his parliamentary bloc, Aoun emphasized that he "supports the STL if it had passed through constitutional channels."

"We are against funding because it is unjustifiable and unconstitutional. I'm not against funding but there's a constitution that we should respect. Parliament's approval is mandatory to refer a case to an international court," he explained.

Commenting on a statement issued by US Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly after visiting him on Monday, Aoun said: "Yes, she told us that we have to pay in a respectful manner and we replied in the same manner.
"The UN secretary general would provide the funds," Aoun noted.

Aoun denied that the relation with Hizbullah has "grown cold," warning that "corruption will harm the Resistance should the country continue in this manner."

For his part, "Arab Tawheed" Party leader former minister Wiam Wahhab, called on Lebanon Tuesday to expel US Ambassador Maura Connelly.

"We expect the foreign minister to summon this ambassador (Connelly) and issue a strong protest and warning in response to her threats," the party said in a statement.

"We also urge the Lebanese government to take a decision to expel her from Lebanon if she continues on her course," it added.

Connelly Monday warned that Lebanon may face "serious consequences" if it refuses to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

"One day we see her threatening; another day she visits the border and another day the harbor, as if she has guardianship over our country," the statement from the Arab Tawheed Party said.

Berri: To Resume Dialogue

In another context, House Speaker Nabih Berri urged officials on Wednesday to return to the dialogue table, announcing that he will discuss the issue with President Michel Suleiman.

In an interview with "an-Nahar" Lebanese daily, Berri stressed that "we must go back to dialogue."

"If PM Najib Mikati welcomed the gesture, Aoun and Hizbullah agreed and "National Struggle Front" Leader MP Walid Jumblat's aspirations were achieved through the resumption of the dialogue, then the issue will be discussed with "al-Mustaqbal" bloc leader Fouad Saniora and the opposition figures," Berri noted.

"An-Nahar" reported that Berri will begin on Wednesday his contacts to discuss various issues and the STL.

Concerning the interview of Hizbullah Chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Berri told "as-Safir" that "his words were reasonable and come from a clear analysis to the crises."
Sources close to Mikati told the daily, that the PM expressed satisfaction over Nasrallah's remarks regarding the governmental work."

Telecommunications Denies "March 14" "Tarshish" Campaign

On the Lebanese security level, Ministry of
Telecommunications denied Tuesday fake information that Hizbullah has installed a private telecommunications network in the Baabda town of Tarshish.

According to the statement, Telecommunications Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui assigned a technical team to inspect works on a fiber-optic network, a national project that is being carried out by the ministry.
"Following inspection works and based on the official report written by the assigned team, there are no private cables in the ministry's telecoms network in the town of Tarshish," the statement said.