The third annual report detailing the activities of the Tribunal during the past year is now available on the STL website. A copy of the report was sent last week to the UN Secretary-General and the Lebanese Prime Minister.
"Our primary role is to serve the people of Lebanon by independent and impartial investigation and trial, fully protective of the rights of the accused and mindful of the interests of victims, of whatever cases the evidence supports," said Judge Sir David Baragwanath, the STL President.
"We must strive, as our Statute requires, to meet the highest standards of international criminal justice, and thereby contribute to further strengthening the rule of law in Lebanon," he added.
The report marks the beginning of the STL's second mandate, which began on 1 March and will continue for another three years. During the past year, the Tribunal saw a flurry of judicial activity with the Pre-Trial Judge confirming an indictment in the case of Ayyash et al and establishing jurisdiction over three cases connected to the 14 February 2005 attack.
The Trial Chamber convened for the first time, held its first public hearing and decided that the four accused in the case would be tried in absentia. Defence counsel for the accused were sworn in and victims applied to participate in the Tribunal's proceedings.
The Prosecution also submitted a request to amend the indictment and its investigations continue.
Judge Baragwanath was elected as the Tribunal's President in October after Judge Antonio Cassese stepped down on health grounds, and a new Prosecutor and Appeals Judge were appointed.
The unwavering support for the Tribunal's mission was demonstrated with contributions from 26 states on five continents, as well as Lebanon's payment of its share of the Tribunal's budget.
The disclosure of documents to Mr Jamil El Sayed in relation to his detention in Lebanon prior to the Tribunal's creation continues under the supervision of the Pre-Trial Judge.
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Below are some statistics from the annual report:
The approved budget for 1 January 2012 - 31 December 2012 amounts to EUR 55.3 million
26 countries, as well as the European Union, contributed to the Tribunal in 2011.
More than 350 formal Requests for Assistance were dispatched to Lebanon and other States by the Prosecution.
Nearly 300 interviews were conducted during about 100 missions by the Prosecution.
132 counsel were included on the List of Counsel by the Defence Office.
362 staff are employed by the Tribunal representing 62 nationalities, including 50 staff from Lebanon
101,055 pages of official court documents have been filed.
17,300 pages have been translated by the Language Services Section into three languages
The STL Spokesperson answered more than 1,000 media inquiries from journalists.
750 individuals visited STL
73 victims applied to participate in STL proceedings
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