Hizbullah Tells Lebanon It Will Decide How to Deal with Tribunal

As opposition groups continue to demand that the Lebanese government cooperate with the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri, Hizbullah issued a forceful reminder that it considers itself to be in control of the issue. Four Hizbullah operatives have been indicted, but none of those named have been arrested. Hizbullah chief Sheikh Na’srallah has warned many times that Hizbullah will respond violently if anyone comes after any of his men. On Tuesday, a Hizbullah member of parliament held a press conference at which he admonished that, “Hizbullah alone will decide how it confronts the STL.” According to MP Mohammad Raad, “the Israelis and the Americans are partners in drafting the indictment.” He also accused the STL Prosecutor Daniel Bellemare as being an agent of Israel and the US.