Local Editor

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, considered that although the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) was decided by the UN Security Council and approved by the Lebanese, it does not prevent discussing it due to the way it treated the four officers, and leaks regarding what could the STL expect, which decreased its credibility.

Michel Suleiman said that it is of the STL to regain its credibility through diminishing from politicization, and to seek investigation in all facts, through which the STL would lead to the truth rather than political accusation.

President Suleiman confirmed that the Lebanese should avoid all foreign conciliations and manage their affairs themselves.

In an interview with New TV, President Suleiman stressed that there is mutual certainty that there are false witnesses, where this issue was discussed in the cabinet, and Minister of Justice Ibrahim Najjar was asked to present a report concerning this issue.

Lebanese President affirmed that Lebanon is still in a state of war with "Israel", and it should be ready to defend its self, and so Lebanon defends its self with what is available.

President Suleiman referred to the Oddaiseh incident, saying that the Lebanese army defended the country on borders, while the resistance was ready, where if for some reason the Lebanese army was not able to defend, the resistance will take over the defense duty.

Concerning the dialogue table, President Suleiman said, "We are talking all over the world about making Lebanon a center for dialogue, and along with every crisis we hear someone calling for dialogue. It is the only place that joins all political parties together".

"Dialogue should be restored to its initial form, where no personal accusations or insults should be reached", Lebanese President said, wondering, "If we don't respect one another, how would we accept to participate with one another in one government or one parliament".

Concerning meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President Michel Suleiman said, "Iran is a friend country, where President Ahmadinejad is aware of the importance of not letting Lebanon be a conflict field".

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to visit Lebanon by the upcoming mid-October, where he would hold official meetings with the Lebanese President and many other Lebanese officials.