Safadi: We have a strong argument to fund STL

Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi confirmed Monday that it is not in Lebanon’s interest to be Syria’s financial safe haven, adding that Lebanon should not pay the price when the international community imposes sanctions on Syria. Safadi elaborated that the Lebanese banks have taken the necessary measures to play a role in international sanctions on Syria.

 The finance minister added that he had met with Head of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde, Assistant Secretary for International Financial Affairs Charles Collins and various Arab officials on the sidelines during the International Monetary Fund meeting, adding that he had made clear during his visit that the Lebanese government “is not a Hezbollah government.”

Al-Hayat daily quoted Safadi as saying that “it is important for Lebanon to commit to all its obligations and maintain good ties with the east and west devoid from any shift in its overall policy.” Commenting on the position of the Gulf States, Saudi Arabia in particular, on the current Lebanese government, Safadi told Al-Hayat that Riyadh is trying to position itself in anticipation of any change of the political tide in Lebanon.  

As Lebanon has reiterated its commitment to international obligations, including the STL funding, Safadi said that he has not yet received an official claim to fund the STL, adding that limiting the mechanism that controls STL funding to a single channel through PM Najib Mikati, President Michel Sleiman and the Finance Ministry is not an option and is unconstitutional. Safadi elaborated that “We have a strong, convincing argument for the necessity of funding the STL; If we fail to do so we will be in dire straits, but failing is not an option. ”