Lebanon not to give remarks on STL protocol extension Lebanon’s President Michel Sleiman decided to “take due note of” of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s decision to extend the protocol between Lebanon and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon STL for three years, according to political sources.
Well-informed sources also said that “taking due note means that Lebanon will not submit any remarks on the STL protocol extension.”
Media outlets reported Ban's letter to Sleiman calling on him to adopt a standpoint regarding the extension of the protocol between the Lebanese government and the STL probing the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri for another three years.
Four members of Hezbollah have been pointed by the UN-backed tribunal. However, Hezbollah strongly denied the charges and refused to cooperate with the court.
STL protocol will expire at the end of February. Under the protocol establishing the STL, the mandate may be renewed without Lebanese approval if the court has not completed its work.