UN legal chief warns nations that refuse to deal with the Tribunal
UN Legal chief Nicolas Michel said the International Tribunal will not be politicized and that this special court will operate in accordance with the highest standards set for criminal courts.
Michel, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Legal Affairs told LBC TV that countries that refuse to deal with the International tribunal will be revealing to the world that they are against international justice.
Michel said those suspects that will not appear in court will be tried in absentia.
He was responding to a question regarding the statement made by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem , who stated during an interview with Lebanese ANB television channel “under no circumstances Syria will hand over any of its citizens to the International Tribunal.”
The International Tribunal was formed to try the killers of Lebanon”s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who was assassinated on February 14 , 2005 along with 22 others. The Tribunal will also try the assassins in the other crimes that followed Hariri”s murder.
Michel was appointed by the UN secretary general to form the International Tribunal , but has already resigned and will be leaving the UN during the summer for family reasons.
Michel said the International Tribunal has been completely formed . The Netherlands has agreed to host the tribunal in Leidschendam, a suburb of The Hague.
Michel said “the witnesses will be extremely well protected “and “this is very important” he added .
Michel said as far as the 4 detained Lebanese Generals are concerned it is up to the Lebanese government to determine their fate
Michel stressed the fact that the purpose of the tribunal is to put an end to the series of assassinations in Lebanon and to bring about law and order and stability for Lebanon.
He loves Lebanon and the Lebanese people and understands what the young Lebanese are going through . He wants to be remembered as the person who has contributed to the future stability of Lebanon.