April 2, 2010 - Daily Star - Leaders praise Nasrallah's 'calm' response to STL questioning

Sfeir impressed ‘by pragmatism, calmness’ in Hizbullah chief’s remarks
By Wassim Mroueh
BEIRUT: The remarks made by Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Wednesday evening prompted conflicting reactions from different political figures. Lebanon First bloc MP Oqab Saqr spoke Thursday to reporters following a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. “Sfeir was impressed by the pragmatism and calmness of Nasrallah’s remarks and said that the country is now moving in a better track toward improving and fortifying its status,” Saqr said. Speaking to Ash-Sharq radio station, Education and Higher Education Minister Hassan Mneimneh described Nasrallah’s remarks as “acceptable and natural,” adding that allowing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) to work without any advanced judgments will enable it to issue its verdict which “we should all accept.” In an interview on Hizbullah-owned Al-Manar channel Wednesday night, Nasrallah confirmed rumors and media leaks claiming weeks ago that the STL questioned a number of Hizbullah members. “They called in 12 of our brothers in recent weeks, and I believe they are now in the process of summoning six more,” Nasrallah said adding that his party was not currently in the tribunal’s line of fire.However, Nasrallah doubted the credibility of the STL, saying the resistance would continue to cooperate with investigators but only if the court’s work proved to be on the right track away from politicization attempts. He stressed the investigation committee could regain trust and restore its image by halting media leaks and trying witnesses who committed perjury. Public Health Minister Mohammad Jawad Khalifeh labeled Nasrallah’s remarks regarding the cooperation with the STL as “clear and logical.” “The best way to protect STL is distancing it from media leaks,” said Khalifeh voicing support for Nasrallah’s policy of cooperating with STL. MP Khalifeh, who made his remarks to Ash-Sharq radio station, said that questioning Lebanese citizens belonging to certain political parties by the STL does not mean charging those individuals. Lebanese Forces (LF) MP Antoine Zahra voiced fear that questioning the credibility of the STL was a prelude to rejecting cooperation with it. For his part, Phalange Party MP Sami Gemayel branded the STL as “an opportunity to discover and try those who committed crimes in Lebanon” and that it should not be wasted. “In his last media appearance and comments, Nasrallah appeared as if he has an independent nationality and entity, for he refuses to abide by all what Lebanese abide by,” said a statement issued by the “National Bloc” that held a meeting on Thursday. “Just like the International Law, the Lebanese law is applicable on all Lebanese regardless of their levels, and he who is not subject to suspicions should not fear testimonies and not be affected by conspiracies or descriptions,” the statement added Thursday. Future Movement MP Mohammad Hajjar ruled out the possibility that the STL targeted Hizbullah. “No one has information about the way the STL is pursuing its work or about its track,” said Hajjar to Lebanese MTV channel adding that the nature of the duties performed by the judges and their diverse nationalities prevented politicizing or hiding the truth. Echoing Hajjar, Future Movement MP Nidal Tohme said Nasrallah’s remarks intersected with many positive points in the March 14 Forces vision. “Hizbullah members were summoned as witnesses and not as accused individuals, and I think that there’s no one in Lebanon who wishes to question them in another status,” the MP said. “Nasrallah stressed that he will continue his cooperation with the STL while waiting for the direction of its track,” Tohme added.