Lebanon: PM Funds Hariri Case; Enforces Syria Sanctions

Lebanon’s Prime Minsiter Najib Mikati said he transferred funding to the U.N. backed court investigating the assisnation of former PM Rafik Hariri. The $36 million of required funding for the Netherlands-based court was made on Wednesday, as Mikati stated  “it is a decision that reflects Lebanon’s commitment to its international obligations and the principles of justice.”Mikati also noted that the decision was in Lebanon’s best interest and would protect the country from upheaval in the region. The court has indicted four members of Hezbollah in connection with the Hariri case, but they have not “surrendered to the court.”

In other news, Lebanon will enforce Arab League sanctions on Syria, “even though it did not back the punitive measures.”  Economy Minister Nicola Nahhas said “We are committed to implementing the Arab League sanctions.” Nahhas noted that the sanctions outlined that no transactions could take place with the Syrian government, but it did not apply to the private sector. He added that “The Lebanese state has no trade dealings or financial transactions, neither with the Syrian government nor the central bank.”