March 12, 2010 - Naharnet - Murr: No Army Protection for Tribunal

Defense Minister Elias Murr denied that a security force has been at the disposal of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
"There has been no legal request in this regard,' Murr said in remarks published Friday by the daily Al-Akhbar.

Unconfirmed reports had said that the STL plans to request the Lebanese government to assign a 300-strong Lebanese army force to be ready when the orders of summons are issued by STL President Daniel Bellemare against a number of Lebanese personalities.

The daily Al-Liwaa, which had carried the report, said Bellemare will refer the orders of summons to the STL Beirut office.

It had quoted Lebanese judicial sources as saying that the move comes as part of the completion of the probe into the crime in preparation for issuing the charge sheet, which may be delayed pending finalization of investigation.