U.S. Honors Rafik Hariri’s Memory by Backing International Tribunal

by Naharnet Newsdesk 14 February 2011, 08:17

U.S. President Barack Obama marked the sixth anniversary of the assassination of ex-premier Rafik Hariri by reaffirming his support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

For the past two years, a bitter political battle has revolved around the STL which is expected to implicate Hizbullah members in the Hariri murder.

Hariri and 22 others were killed in a car bombing February 14, 2005.

"Any attempt to interfere with the tribunal’s work or fuel tensions within Lebanon must not be tolerated," Obama said in a statement, adding that the court will "find the truth behind that outrageous act of terrorism."

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the next Lebanese government to honor its obligations to the tribunal.

"Those who would try to block Lebanon's cooperation should desist and show a measure of human decency," she said in a statement. "Ultimately, without justice, there can be no peace and stability for Lebanon."

"At this critical moment, we call on all friends of Lebanon to stand with the people of Lebanon, who must be free to determine their own destiny," Obama said.

"And those Lebanese who forge their future in a spirit of peace and reconciliation will continue to have a strong partner in the United States," he added.

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