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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Hezbollah to Block Financing for Hariri Tribunal |
| 2010-10-01 |
| [Asharq al-Aswat] Hezbullies will use its position in government to try to block Leb's funding for the U.N. court investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the group's front man said Wednesday. Hezbullies's leader has said the tribunal looking into Hariri's death could indict some of the Iranian-backed group's members, fueling the country's worst political crisis in years. Hezbullies contends the tribunal has been poisoned by witnesses who have given false information. The indictments could be issued as early as next month. "You know our position on the tribunal, so we cannot agree to finance it," Hezbullies front man Ibrahim Moussawi told The News Agency that Dare Not be Named on Wednesday when asked if his party will try to block the funding in Leb's budget. Leb pays 49 percent of the tribunal's costs, with other U.N. member states providing the remainder. Hezbullies has a key role in the country's fragile national unity government, which is led by the slain leader's son -- Prime Minister Saad Hariri -- who heads a Western-backed coalition. The Cabinet has delayed discussions on the 2011 draft budget as politicians debate funding for the tribunal. Hezbullies could unify the opposition to stop the funding. According to the resolution that created the tribunal, other countries would step in if Leb failed to provide its share. Still, such a decision would be a strong message that support for the tribunal is lagging. Despite opposition to the court, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his supporters insist the tribunal will go forward. |
| Posted by:Fred |