President Suleiman: Funding STL Does Not Mean Neglecting Its Mistakes
Lebanese President Michel Suleiman confirmed that Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji's visit to Washington was very successful, because the US and the European countries know very well that the Lebanese army is committed to highest standards of respects to human rights and democracy.
"Therefore, these countries cite the Lebanese army with full respect, and deal with it on this basis in all circumstances, and do not link its position to any other issue", President Suleiman stated, referring that the foreign countries themselves call for implementing human rights virtues.
He noted that he is convinced that arming the army should be self-funded by the Lebanese people, and he will work on achieving that ever if it took several years, because the result would be "a free stabilized state, thanks to its national army and armed forces".
Regarding funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) , President Suleiman stressed that what distinguishes Lebanon is its commitment to the UN legitimacy and international resolutions, believing that there is no alternative for this commitment to protect Lebanon and its stability.
In an interview with al-Diyar Lebanese daily, he went on to say that "funding the STL does not mean to lay down criticism had it made any mistakes, for it made a mistake in leaking investigation information, and leaking the indictment".
Regarding assumed threats addressed to some officials, warning of "not funding" the STL, President Suleiman said, "I am the President of Lebanon, and no one threatens or warns me. There is a diplomatic way used when asking Lebanon about its stance in implementing international resolutions".
Source: Al-Diyar Newspaper, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org team
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