Baragwanath in Lebanon on Wednesday, to Reiterate Importance of STL Funding

The President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Judge Sir David Baragwanath, will arrive in Lebanon on Wednesday, al-Liwaa newspaper reported.

Baragwanath will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail to reiterate the importance of paying Lebanon’s dues to the tribunal before December 15, the daily said on Tuesday.

The STL said in a statement on Monday that he will be accompanied by the Vice-President of the Tribunal, Judge Ralph Riachy.

Sources told the newspaper that Baragwanath will inform Miqati and Lebanon’s senior officials about the risks that Lebanon will have to bear if the funding of the STL wasn’t met.

The STL president will also ensure the Tribunal’s aim to establish fair trials to those who are accused in order to guarantee the rights of the victims, sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Tuesday.

Sources said that Baragwanath will meet with Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi, Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi, General Prosecutor Saeed Mirza, senior officials, and the lawyers of the victims.

Baragwanath has replaced head of the tribunal Antonio Cassese who resigned on October 9 for medical reasons and died of cancer days after stepping down.

The funding the STL has deepened the rift between the March 8-dominated government and the March 14-led opposition.

Lebanon is responsible for meeting 49 percent of the costs of the U.N.-backed STL, which has charged four Hizbullah members in the February 14, 2005 assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others.