Daily Star - US official expects Hariri court judges to be named 'very soon', June 6, 2007.
BEIRUT: Judges will be appointed "very soon" to the international court to try suspects in the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri, said visiting US Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Organizations Kristen Silverberg on Tuesday. "We expect the United Nations to act as soon as possible to launch the international tribunal," Silverberg said after meeting with Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri.
Silverberg arrived in Lebanon on Tuesday and met with several Lebanese officials to discuss US efforts to support Lebanon and the next steps after the UN Security Council approved on May 30 the formation of the international tribunal.
Speaking after meeting with Premier Fouad Siniora, Silverberg said Lebanon remains a high priority for President George W. Bush and the US.
"I am very grateful to Prime Minister Siniora for giving me the time to discuss ways [in which] we can support Lebanon's efforts to secure its sovereignty, independence and prosperity," added Silverberg.
She also addressed the role of Syria in Lebanon, saying this has always been a concern for the Washington.
"We have repeatedly asked the Syrian government to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and independence," Silverberg said. "We will always support the Lebanese government so it takes full control of the critical period the country is going through."
Tackling the issue of US support for the Lebanese Army in its ongoing battle against Fatah al-Islam militants in the Nahr al-Bared camp in North Lebanon, Silverberg said: "We have an intensive program to support the Lebanese Army."
"This is normal, because any country should enjoy a strong army capable of preserving security and fighting terrorism," she added. "The Lebanese can be proud of the courage and determination with which the Lebanese armed forces are fighting to keep Lebanon secure."
Later in the day, Silverberg met with Social Affairs Minister Nayla Mouawad in the presence of a delegation from the March 14 Forces.
"The Lebanese government and people are determined to see the international tribunal established soon," Mouawad said. "This tribunal will guarantee the interests of all the Lebanese and hold criminals accountable."
Expressing dismay over the Nahr al-Bared clashes, Mouawad said the Syrian regime "is still exporting all kinds of terrorism to Lebanon."
"We refuse that Palestinian refugee camps be used to export terrorism and fight both the Lebanese and Palestinians," Mouawad added.
The US official also met with Justice Minister Charles Rizk to discuss the latest developments in the country.
BEIRUT: Judges will be appointed "very soon" to the international court to try suspects in the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri, said visiting US Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Organizations Kristen Silverberg on Tuesday. "We expect the United Nations to act as soon as possible to launch the international tribunal," Silverberg said after meeting with Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri.
Silverberg arrived in Lebanon on Tuesday and met with several Lebanese officials to discuss US efforts to support Lebanon and the next steps after the UN Security Council approved on May 30 the formation of the international tribunal.
Speaking after meeting with Premier Fouad Siniora, Silverberg said Lebanon remains a high priority for President George W. Bush and the US.
"I am very grateful to Prime Minister Siniora for giving me the time to discuss ways [in which] we can support Lebanon's efforts to secure its sovereignty, independence and prosperity," added Silverberg.
She also addressed the role of Syria in Lebanon, saying this has always been a concern for the Washington.
"We have repeatedly asked the Syrian government to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and independence," Silverberg said. "We will always support the Lebanese government so it takes full control of the critical period the country is going through."
Tackling the issue of US support for the Lebanese Army in its ongoing battle against Fatah al-Islam militants in the Nahr al-Bared camp in North Lebanon, Silverberg said: "We have an intensive program to support the Lebanese Army."
"This is normal, because any country should enjoy a strong army capable of preserving security and fighting terrorism," she added. "The Lebanese can be proud of the courage and determination with which the Lebanese armed forces are fighting to keep Lebanon secure."
Later in the day, Silverberg met with Social Affairs Minister Nayla Mouawad in the presence of a delegation from the March 14 Forces.
"The Lebanese government and people are determined to see the international tribunal established soon," Mouawad said. "This tribunal will guarantee the interests of all the Lebanese and hold criminals accountable."
Expressing dismay over the Nahr al-Bared clashes, Mouawad said the Syrian regime "is still exporting all kinds of terrorism to Lebanon."
"We refuse that Palestinian refugee camps be used to export terrorism and fight both the Lebanese and Palestinians," Mouawad added.
The US official also met with Justice Minister Charles Rizk to discuss the latest developments in the country.
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