Khalilzad: The importance of the tribunal relies on the principle of accountability
US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad gave a press conference after a Security Council session on Lebanon in which he said that establishing the Special Tribunal will not only help stop crimes in Lebanon, “but it will help end the use of assassinations as a tool to implement political agendas.”
“This message must be clear, and immunity must be taken off these criminals. This is way we are supporting the tribunal,” he added.
Khalilzad noted positive developments in Lebanon, including the Doha Agreement, the election of President Michel Sleiman and the naming of the PM designate, Fouad Siniora.
“The ongoing dialogue in Lebanon is very important, but a lot more must be done to disarm militias, redraw the border with Syria, end the smuggling of weapons, stop violations of Lebanese sovereignty, and resolve the issues of the Shebaa Farms and Al-Ghajar.”
Khalilzad reiterated US support to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and PM Siniora’s efforts to temporarily put the Shebaa Farms under UN supervision.
“The drawing of the Lebanese-Syrian border is very important in solving the issue of the Shebaa Farms,” he added.
Khalilzad also denied that UNIFIL’s rules of engagement are being discussed at present.