Jumblatt: STL Out of Political Debate, State Institution Should be Reactivated

Local Editor

National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt has called for keeping the issue of the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) out of the political debate in the country.

"I add my voice to that of the Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani, who called for keeping the issue of the STL out of the domestic political debate, in such a way that allows the consolidation of political stability, the reactivation of the work of state institutions and the addressing of people's social demands and living conditions, without giving up the call for justice, which is being mostly harmed by the continuous debate over it," Jumblatt said.

In his weekly column in his al-Anbaa newspaper, the mouth piece of the "Progressive Socialist Party", Jumblatt described the mufti's rhetoric as "rational and calm", which is the required rhetoric to deal with the sensitivity of the current period, and which is contradictory to the opposition camp's tense rhetoric."
Furthermore, Jumblatt warned that the opposition's rhetoric would "reproduce" sectarian tensions in the deeply divided nation, noting that "taking the country to a dead-end does not serve stability or justice."

Jumblatt also pointed out that the "crimes and assassinations that took place were political par excellence, and so is the STL's indictment." The MP added that this "might take Lebanon to an international conflict, in what we called earlier the game of nations, and so we are all entitled to rise with our political and media speech to a better level and give the new government the chance to catch its breath, which would be later asked about its performance and role."
On Sunday Qabbani said that the STL should not be part of the political bickering in the country.
"This court is an institution that has international legitimacy from a Security Council resolution that established it. That's why it should be left out of the political rhetoric," the mufti said in a statement.