BEIRUT: Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah said Lebanon’s interests are more important than threats by the international community, sources who had met with Nasrallah quoted him as saying in Thursday’s Al Liwaa newspaper.

“Some are voicing threats that the international community might sanction Lebanon if the funding [for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon] does not go through, but the international community is not more important than the interest of Lebanon and Lebanese,” Nasrallah was quoted as saying.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati and other ministers have said that refusing to pay Lebanon’s share of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s budget would place the country in confrontation with the international community, something that Lebanon cannot afford.

Others have hinted at the possibility of sanctions if Lebanon does not commit to international resolutions, especially U.N. Security Council Resolution 1757, which established the tribunal.

Those who met with Nasrallah also quoted him as saying that the international community has a positive view of the government but that still depends on its commitment to international resolutions, referring to the STL.

Nasrallah, however, assured his visitors that the rift within the government regarding the STL funding would not affect the Cabinet, despite the fact that Hezbollah and its allies, who form the majority in the government, have vowed to block any attempt to pay the country’s $32 million share.

“He also affirmed the need to provide Mikati with the necessary support to address any pressing issues and allow the government to continue its work until the upcoming parliamentary elections,” the newspaper reported.

Nasrallah also touched upon the situation in Syria, saying that President Bashar Assad’s government has overcome the crisis and that the situation is improving.

“Assad’ seriousness about implementing reforms, the unity of the Syrian army, and the people’s awareness of the extent of the plan to divide [the country] helped overcome the crisis,” he was quoted as saying, adding that reforms require time.

Tens of thousands of pro-Assad supporters went onto the streets of Damascus Wednesday to show support for the Syrian president in response to mounting international backing for the Syrian opposition. However, anti government protests, demanding reform and an end to Assad’s rule, have not backed down despite the violent crackdown by Syrian authorities.