U.N. Hails STL Funding as Important Step in Preserving Lebanon’s Stability

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon telephoned PM Najib Miqati congratulating him on his decision to transfer the funds to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the premier’s office said Thursday.

It said in a statement that Ban stressed to Miqati his support to exerted efforts to grantee stability and peace in Lebanon.

Also Thursday, Robert Watkins, the U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon ad interim, held talks with Miqati at the Grand Serail.

He welcomed the prime minister’s move as a very important step in efforts to preserve stability in the country.

“The United Nations welcomed the step which Lebanon took yesterday towards fulfilling its financial obligations towards the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. This is a very important step for Lebanon towards meeting its international obligations and towards preserving the country’s stability,” he said.

“I relayed to the prime minister the U.N.’s expectations that Lebanon would continue to uphold its remaining international obligations and to cooperate fully” with the tribunal, Watkins added.

Miqati said the transfer of Lebanon's $32 million share in the required funding for the court that is set to try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s suspected assassins was made Wednesday.

The decision was meant to "preserve Lebanon" at a time of regional upheaval, he said.