BEIRUT: United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon said Saturday there was no need to amend the protocol concerning the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and said the international court had succeeded so far in discouraging political assassinations.

“I don’t think that there is a need to change any agreement,” Ban told The Daily Star, adding that in accordance with the agreement between the Lebanese state and the U.N. the mandate of the STL, which expires on Feb. 29, would be automatically extended.

“It is a matter of extending the mandate so that all the works can be carried out to bring justice to the perpetrators of this crime,” Ban said on his second day of a three-day visit to Lebanon.

“That is something to be decided by me in consultation with the U.N. Security Council and Lebanese authorities,” he said, adding that the process of consultations was currently ongoing.

The STL, the U.N.-backed court established in 2007 to try those involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, has indicted four member of Hezbollah, which has called for the agreement between Lebanon and the United Nations on the court to be cancelled.

Asked whether he thought Lebanon was working to apprehend the four suspects, Ban said:

“Four persons have been accused officially and it is important for the Lebanese government to fully cooperate with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to apprehend them as soon as possible.”

The head of the United Nations also said one of the key aims of the STL - to prevent further political assassinations - had worked thus far.

“As you know since this Special Tribunal for Lebanon was established, you have not seen any political assassination. This means the message has been clearly conveyed. These are very important tools, mechanisms, to end impunity,” Ban said.

Hariri was killed in a massive car bomb attack in Beirut on February 14, 2005. Hariri’s assassination was preceded and followed by a string of attacks against anti-Syrian figures.

Ban also praised Prime Minister Najib Mikati, saying he was very pleased to work with the head of the Lebanese government on all matters.

“I really admire his leadership,” Ban added.

Ban’s statement came hours after Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah criticized Ban on remarks he made concerning the group’s growing military prowess. Nasrallah said that he was pleased Ban, as well the United States and Israel, were concerned with the resistance’s growing capabilities.

Responding to Nasrallah’s comments, Ban reiterated an earlier call that Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls on the disbanding of all non-state actors, to be fully implemented.

Ban, who has encouraged President Michel Sleiman to continue efforts to reconvene the National Dialogue process and address the questions of weapons outside the control of the state, said there should be continuous efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

“These weapons outside state authority [are] very dangerous and harmful for peace and stability for Lebanon and also in the region,” he said.

“There have been allegations of illegal arms transfers. This affects negatively to overall peace and stability of Lebanon as well as in this region,” he added.

Ban, who will Sunday inaugurate a conference organized by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), also confirmed reports that the U.N. headquarters in the Lebanese capital was exposed to threats, prompting the organization to seek a new place to run its operations.

“The location of ESCWA U.N. headquarters in Beirut is exposed to threats, security threats, and we are concerned about this,” Ban said.

“We are now discussing [with Lebanese authorities] actively to relocate our headquarters to a safer and more secure place within the Beirut [area] or if not, in the outskirts of Beirut,” he added.

Ban said the Lebanese government fully appreciated ESCWA’s concerns and he urged that Lebanon “render full cooperation as soon as possible,” on the matter.

The U.N. chief also responded to questions on the unrest in Syria.

In an answer to one question on the possibility of military intervention, Ban said that had not been suggested yet, adding the U.N. was awaiting the report by the Arab League monitoring mission to Syria.

Ban also said the U.N. would be providing technical assistance to the observers.

“We are going to provide technical assistance in the area of training of the monitoring teams,” he said.

In another question on the possibility of establishing humanitarian corridors between Lebanon and Syria, Ban said the issue would need to be discussed in consultation with Damascus.

“All of these issues will be discussed in due course,” he added.

On the situation between Lebanon and Israel, Ban addressed both the issues of maritime resources and the occupied northern border village of Ghajar.

On Ghajar, Ban, in an apparent criticism of the Israel, said an opportunity had been lost to resolve the issue over a year ago.

“It is regrettable that this issue has not been resolved. In fact there was very positive development which took place over a year ago. UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon] has presented its plan of action to secure the security there after the withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces from the northern village of Ghajar. Unfortunately we have not received any response from the Israeli government. The Lebanese Armed forces have agreed to the proposal of UNFIL,” Ban said.

On the issue of Lebanon’s maritime resources, Ban said both Lebanon and Israel have the right to exploit their oil wealth in uncontested areas, adding that the U.N. could step in as a mediator if agreed upon by both Lebanon and Israel.

“This needs to be discussed bi-laterally,” Ban said. “If the Israeli and the Lebanese governments agree to give us, request us to play some mediating or facilitating role, we can do it.”