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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Lebanese opposition is pushing too hard - key Russian legislator |
| 2007-04-12 |
| A senior Russian legislator warned Lebanon's opposition Wednesday that its "forceful, shortsighted approach" would cause the UN Security Council to establish an international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri unilaterally. Mikhail Margelov, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament, told the Interfax news agency that he "regretted" the actions of the opposition and all external interference in Lebanese affairs. "The minority ... by resorting to a forceful and shortsighted approach, aims to hamper the work of Parliament and forbid the tribunal from starting its work," Margelov said. Russia is committed to the stabilization of the situation in Lebanon and to reaching a peaceful solution he added, urging all sides to respect the democratic process. In a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora asked that the matter of the tribunal be placed before the Security Council to consider "alternative ways" of establishing the court. In a telephone conversation Wednesday, Ban reportedly assured Siniora that he would continue discussions with council members "to study all options." In a copy of the letter obtained by The Daily Star, Siniora told Ban: "I urge you to put this matter before the esteemed members of the Security Council to examine alternative ways and means that will ensure the establishment, without delay, of the [court] which is essential for the safeguarding of liberties and deterring further political assassinations." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 "Lebanon's opposition" meaning Iran's agents in Parliament. |
| Posted by: mrp 2007-04-12 05:30 |