February 20, 2009 - Naharnet - Murr Warns against Forestalling Results of Hariri Investigation

Defense Minister Elias Murr refused on Thursday to predict the impact of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon on ties with Syria saying such statements only "forestall the outcome of the international investigation." Murr made his comments after talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa in Cairo. He was referring to the international tribunal set up to try suspects in the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and related killings. Speaking to reporters, Murr dismissed a question on whether he expected the international tribunal to affect ties with Syria. "Any talk about the impact of the tribunal on Lebanese-Syrian ties will appear as if (we are) accusing Damascus beforehand and forestalling the outcome of the international investigation." Recalling that Syria had promised to punish "anyone on its soil" implicated in the Hariri case, Murr said that the tribunal is an "international body, not a Lebanese one." He added: "Lebanon abides by international laws and all concerned countries will uphold any ruling to be issued by the tribunal." Murr, on his third day in Cairo, praised Egypt's support to Lebanon saying that he was "positively surprised" by Mubarak's pledge to extend unlimited assistance to the Lebanese army. He said the military aid will "play a fundamental role in maintaining security during the upcoming democratic elections." Murr also lauded Moussa for undertaking "a difficult and delicate" task to help end a political lock jam that had paralyzed Lebanon last year. His efforts resulted in the election of a new president, Murr added.