March 6, 2009 - Naharnet - Hariri Calls for Positive Approach to MoU Debate

MP Saad Hariri called Thursday for a "positive" approach to a Memo of Understanding between the government and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
The memorandum - proposed by the Justice Ministry - seeks to regulate relations between the Lebanese judiciary and the STL's general prosecutor. Last week, the Cabinet delayed a decision to sign the MoU until Thursday's session after minority ministers raised question marks over the draft's third clause. Hariri called on all politicians to "approach discussion of the MoU with a positive, conscientious and open attitude." "If there is a need for more deliberation, we will not oppose a rescheduling of the debate till next week's Cabinet meeting. As long as the reservations do not hinder the progress of the international investigation," he added. He was referring to the U.N.-led investigation into the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri in 2005. The third clause states that Lebanese authorities guarantee that the STL's public prosecutor's office – to open in Beirut soon - will enjoy immunity against any form of interference that might hinder the investigation.
Minority Cabinet ministers argued that the clause would "expose Lebanon and subject any Lebanese national to scrutiny until further notice, depending on the mood of the attorney general and his assistants, without any control." Hariri requested that the STL "remain outside the circle of political wrangling or attempts to turn the tribunal into yet another issue of domestic dispute." "The tribunal has become a legitimate and international reality," Hariri said, adding "there is no turning back on the STL or room for doubt." The Future Movement leader said that Lebanese politicians from across the political divide see in the tribunal "a means to render justice and protect Lebanon" from terrorism.