Hague: UK to give $1.6m. to support UN's Hariri tribunal
British foreign secretary says "Justice is the only way to ensure stability in Lebanon"; commitment brings country's contribution to $3.7m.
By ASSOCIATED PRESSWilliam Hague looking serious 311(photo credit: AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
LONDON — The United Kingdom is giving a further £1 million ($1.6 million) to a UN-backed tribunal set up to prosecute the assassins of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.Foreign Secretary William Hague urged other nations to support the court, saying justice "is the only way to ensure long term stability" in Lebanon.RELATED:Kerry says Hariri tribunal 'independent,' in Lebanon visitAshkenazi warns of Hizbullah takeover in BeirutUN chief warns of rising tension in LebanonThe tribunal was set up in 2007 to solve the 2005 assassination of Hariri in a Beirut truck bombing.It has ignited fears in Lebanon that indictments could re-ignite hostilities between the Shi'ite and Sunni communities, particularly if Hizbullah party members are implicated in the assassination of the prominent Sunni leader.The latest commitment, announced Monday, brings Britain's contribution to £2.3 million ($3.7 million). The United States has already given $30 million.
