International Tribunal Signs “Interim Agreement” with INTERPOL
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the International Criminal Police Organization have concluded an interim agreement on INTERPOL”s assistance to the international court with regard to its investigations and other proceedings that pertain to the crimes that fall under its jurisdiction.
The Interim Agreement was signed by President Antonio Cassese, on behalf of the STL pursuant to article 10 of the Tribunal”s Statute, and by Ronald K. Noble, the Secretary-General of INTERPOL, on behalf of his organization, said a statement issued by tribunal on Thursday.
It said the agreement, which entered into force on Aug. 24, is aimed at enabling the STL to request assistance from INTERPOL for the purposes of the ongoing investigations carried out by the Office of the Prosecutor of the Tribunal and other proceedings undertaken by the tribunal in discharging its mandate, until a more comprehensive cooperation agreement that is currently being negotiated between the two bodies is concluded and enters into force.
The Office of the Prosecutor of the STL (OTP), which took a very active part in the negotiation of the interim agreement, and the Operational Support Directorate at INTERPOL”s General Secretariat are responsible, on behalf of their respective organizations, to ensure the implementation of the Interim Agreement.
This responsibility, according to the statement, entrusted to the Office of Prosecutor stems from the fact that the interim agreement was concluded to primarily address immediate assistance needs of the OTP during the investigative stage of its work. The agreement ensures continuity of the cooperation that existed between INTERPOL and the U.N. International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC).