The funding of the special tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is a divisive issue in Lebanese politics. Lebanon must pay its share of the annual budget in a few weeks but five months after the release of the first indictments many here doubt if Lebanese politicians will manage to agree.

By Daisy Mohr, Beirut

Lebanon is responsible for 49 percent of the court’s finances but has not yet paid its $33 million share for 2011. Hezbollah and its allies have repeatedly rejected cooperation with the court, let alone funding it. They insist that the tribunal set up to prosecute persons responsible for the death of Rafiq Hariri is part of a ‘US-Israeli conspiracy’ aimed at targeting the resistance group and inciting sectarian strife in the country.

Toughest test
During a televised speech Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, said he would leave the issue of funding the court to the cabinet, stressing that ministers should seek consensus on the matter and if not, then put it to a vote. Najib Mikati is now facing his toughest test since he became prime minister.

“My position is constant, and that is complete cooperation with international decisions, including resolution 1757 that concerns the court and its funding. This is my position as prime minister of Lebanon and there are constitutional institutions that we need to refer to,” said Mikati who was nominated for the premiership backed by Hezbollah and its allies that dominate his government. “Anyone who wants to finance the tribunal let him do it from his own pocket,” said Nasrallah in a reference to Mikati, a billionaire businessman. Hezbollah toppled the previous government headed by Saad Hariri over its refusal to cut ties with the tribunal.

International pressure
International pressure is now mounting. The USA, Russia and the EU have warned of possible sanctions if Lebanon won’t pay. US Ambassador Maura Connelly stated that Lebanon could face ‘serious consequences’ should it fail to pay its share. “Those who oppose the special tribunal seek to create a false choice between justice and stability,” said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Stefan Fule, EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy, following a series of talks with senior Lebanese officials, said he was confident Lebanon would come up with the money. “We have confidence in this country and its political elite to find a solution to this delicate but important issue,” Fule said. “I have not come to discuss plan B or plan C. I have come to discuss plan A.” Lebanon can ultimately be referred to the United Nations Security Council if it refuses to pay.

Public fatigue
The Lebanese public is growing tired of the political debate surrounding the STL. A poll by the Beirut Center for Research and Information this summer revealed that 63.5 % of Lebanese did not consider the STL credible. Only 36.8% believed in the independence of the Tribunal.

Trials are expected to start mid-2012 but in Lebanon few believe the suspects will ever appear in court. Last June the STL issued arrest warrants for four Hezbollah members and while the Lebanese authorities reported measures were being taken to track them down, they were not arrested within the 30-day deadline. In the hope of speeding up the arrests the tribunal made the indictment public in August and released the names, photographs and details of the suspects.

In absentia
Few analysts expect the Internal Security Forces to even attempt to apprehend the four suspects and hand them over to the STL. Hezbollah has repeatedly denied involvement in the assassination and in a speech earlier this year Nasrallah vowed the accused will never be caught ‘not even in 300 years’. While it appears almost certain that the trial will proceed in absentia, the judges first have to be convinced that enough efforts were made to apprehend the accused.