US doubles its contribution for tribunal from $7 to $14 million

 

The American Undersecretary of State for Middle East Affairs , David Welch refused to accuse anyone in the assassination of Hezbollah leader Imad Mughniyah, noting all has been said is strictly speculation.

 

Welch noted that “Mughniyah has broken the hearts of many and has committed several crimes from Argentina to Kuwait and caused a lot of suffering to many people and therefore he deserves what happened to him“.

Welch had some good news for Lebanon: In an interview with LBC TV he said that the United States has doubled its contribution to the International Tribunal by increasing its pledge from $7 to $14 million.

 

The purpose of the tribunal is to try the killers of Lebanon’s former Prime minister rafik Hariri and the related crime . Preparations are underway to set up the this special court in the Netherlands.

Welch criticized Syria for its continued interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs and called on the Lebanese to try and manage their own affairs without any outside interference.

 

When asked about resorting to a quorum of half plus one , he stressed that Washington considers this a Lebanese issue , but urged the Lebanese leaders to unite and elect a president as soon as possible.

 

Welch had some good advice for Hezbollah ally General Michel Aoun: “Pay more attention to the interest of the Lebanese people “. He noted that ” Aoun’s insistence on a share of one third of the government seats is a mistake and its not the first mistake he makes”.