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Mikati: STL funding to be discussed in Cabinet
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (R) greets his Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati at number 10 Downing Street in London November 7, 2011. (REUTERS/Olivia Harris)
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (R) greets his Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati at number 10 Downing Street in London November 7, 2011. (REUTERS/Olivia Harris)

BEIRUT: Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who met with U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron Monday night, said that the controversial issue of funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon would be discussed in Cabinet, according to a statement from his press office.

“The issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon will be discussed in the Cabinet in order to take the appropriate decision,” Mikati said, reiterating Lebanon’s commitment to international resolutions.

Following his meeting with Cameron, Mikati told reporters that all parties in Lebanon recognized the dangers facing the country should it fail to its $32 million share toward the U.N.-backed court’s budget.

“Everyone knows the situation in Lebanon and the issue of funding will be discussed at a specific time in constitutional institutions,” Mikati said.

“And I don't think that any party in Lebanon does not care about stability or does not recognize the danger that arises from non-compliance with international resolutions,” he added.

The international community has piled pressure on Lebanon to fund the STL, which in late June indicted four Hezbollah members in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Hezbollah and its allies, representing the majority in Mikati's government, have outright rejected the tribunal and vowed to block any attempts to fund the court in the government.

During the meeting between the two officials, Mikati provided Cameron with a list of “military and civilian” needs, the statement said.

“I have provided the British prime minister with a list of some of the needs of the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces ... I have also provided him with a list of civilian needs,” Mikati said, adding that a Lebanese Army and ISF delegation would visit Britain for further discussions on the matter.

Mikati also said he had asked Britain to assist Lebanon in affirming its maritime borders which Beirut demarcated earlier in the year. Israel and Lebanon have both laid claim to a 850-square-kilometer area.

“I also spoke about the various opportunities that Britain can take advantage of in Lebanon, including oil exploration and I also asked for British assistance through its diplomatic channels to help Lebanon affirm its maritime borders as per the demarcation by the government,” he said.

Mikati said he had also asked Cameron to urge Western countries to place pressure on Israel to respect international resolutions, including the right to return for Palestinian refugees and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Over 300,000 Palestinians reside in Lebanon’s 12 refugee camps.

Asked whether the visit would help break Lebanon’s isolation, Mikati said: “No one can isolate Lebanon and the issue does not have to do with me personally but with Lebanon, and Lebanon's prime minister is welcome in all capitals and countries.”

According to Mikati’s press office, the two officials also discussed the “Arab Spring” and events in Syria. On the latter subject, Mikati explained the nature of the Lebanese-Syrian relations and reiterated that Lebanon would remain neutral regarding events in Damascus.

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Mikati Cabinet / Najib Mikati / Special Tribunal for Lebanon / Lebanon
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