April 24, 2010 - Now Lebanon - Al-Hayat: STL report now official UN document

Al-Hayat newspaper reported on Saturday that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s first annual report was issued as an official UN document on Friday after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon transferred it to the Security Council.The report, submitted by STL President Antonio Cassese, highlights the court’s achievements and challenges in the last year, from March 2009 until February 2010.According to Al-Hayat, the report said the STL is finding it difficult to collect evidence and launch investigations. The report requested funding and judicial aid from countries and international organizations, and noted that the STL’s budget increased from $4.51 million in 2009 to $4.55 million in 2010, Al-Hayat said. “Despite the challenges facing the STL, justice will be achieved without political or ideological restraints,” the paper quoted the report as stating.

-NOW Lebanon