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21:24 GMT
WASHINGTON, Nov 22 (KUNA) -- The United States said on Monday that the
Special Tribunal for Lebanon has yet to finish its work and reiterated US
support for Lebanese sovereignty.
"The tribunal has yet to finish its work. Its investigation is ongoing. We
have provided political and monetary support, to this investigation. It is
critically important to Lebanon's future," said Assistant Secretary of State
for public diplomacy Philip Crowley in a press briefing.
"Lebanon needs to end this era of impunity, which has afflicted it for
years, if not decades. And we support the work of the tribunal, and we look
forward to a completion of its investigation and the findings that that
investigation produces," he added.
A Canadian television reported today that the international investigation
in the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri is showing a
possible role for Hezbollah but Crowley declined to comment on this report.
"Our reaction is to continue to support the work of the tribunal, and we
look forward to the tribunal concluding its investigation and delivering its
findings," he noted.
Crowley said that the US administration is "concerned about the objectivity
of the tribunal's work. I think we are concerned about the campaign that is
going around surrounding the tribunal to politicize its investigation and its
potential findings."
"We support the tribunal. It is critical to Lebanon's sovereignty and its
future. And we look forward to a completion of the investigation and a release
of its findings," he added.
Crowley noted that he does not think that upcoming visit of Lebanese Prime
Minister Saad Hariri to Tehran would impact the outcome of the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon.
"We have regular interaction with the government of Lebanon and we make
clear our commitment to Lebanon's independence, Lebanon's sovereignty. In
every conversation we have talked about the importance of the work of the
tribunal," he concluded. (end)
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KUNA 230024 Nov 10NNNN