U.S.: Tribunal is Signal that Lebanon”s Sovereignty is Non-negotiable
The U.S. State Department said Sunday that the launching of the international tribunal was "an important step toward justice" in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri”s Feb. 2005 assassination and a "signal that Lebanon”s sovereignty is non-negotiable."
"The Special Tribunal for Lebanon represents an important step toward justice" in Hariri”s killing which "was an unsuccessful attempt to undermine Lebanon”s sovereignty," the Department said in a press release.
"The Lebanese people answered his assassination with the Cedar Revolution, leading to the withdrawal of Syrian troops and the most democratic Lebanese elections in decades," it said.
The Department hoped the Special Tribunal for Lebanon would help end impunity, stressing that the court "is a clear signal that Lebanon”s sovereignty is non-negotiable."
It also hailed "the brave and tireless work" of Lebanese judicial authorities and the U.N. commission that investigated Hariri”s murder.
"We will continue to assist their efforts, and recently pledged another $6 million, pending Congressional approval, towards the tribunal”s operations in addition to the $14 million already contributed," the statement added.