BEIRUT: Interim U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Robert Watkins Monday voiced the U.N.’s appreciation over Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s role in settling the issue of funding for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and urged rival politicians to revive national dialogue.

“I very much welcomed the role that H.E. the Speaker played last week in finding a solution to the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. His role was very much appreciated by the United Nations. I came here to personally express our thanks to him,” Watkins said after meeting with Berri at the latter’s Ain al-Tinih residence.

The U.N. had welcomed Lebanon’s decision to fund the STL after months of uncertainty. Prime Minister Najib Mikati said last week he had transferred the country’s share of the tribunal’s budget which amounted to $32.6 million.

Days before Mikati’s announcement, Berri had intensified his efforts in a bid to find a middle ground over the controversial issue, which was staunchly opposed by the government’s majority represented by Hezbollah and its allies.

“I told Speaker Berri that the United Nations welcomes any step that Lebanon took to ensure stability and I voiced our expectation that he would help in continuing to respect all of Lebanon’s international obligations, including those related to Security Council Resolution 1701 and other resolutions that affect Lebanon,” Watkins said.

The U.N. official also said that the organization encouraged rival politicians in Lebanon to resume national dialogue under the auspices of President Michel Sleiman “in order to seek a solution to existing disagreements.”

“We also hope the resumption of Cabinet meetings this week will help address many of the daily socio-economic frustrations of the Lebanese people, which may have contributed to a rise in tension in recent days and weeks,” he added.