The Presidency of the Council of Ministers issued Friday the following:

“The Higher Relief Committee has received an official letter from the ‘Union of Beirut Families Associations’ requesting approval to accept a € 500,000 conditional financial donation in favor of the Higher Relief Committee, as a contribution to cover part of Lebanon’s financial contribution to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, provided that the amount is transferred to the STL’s account.

The letter signed by the president of the Union, Mohammad Afif Yamout, states: ‘The Union of Beirut Families Associations is keen on providing a conditional financial donation to contribute to covering part of Lebanon’s financial contribution to the STL, which suffers a lack of funding that hinders its operations and may lead to its suspension before the completion of the purpose for which it was established. This has serious repercussions that will adversely affect the achievement of justice and constitutes a dangerous precedent that puts the credibility of the United Nations at stake, knowing that the purpose of the establishment of the Tribunal goes beyond the assassination of martyr late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, for it is a national and just cause; it is a matter of justice that all the Lebanese deserve, regardless of their affiliations. Thus, the Union of Beirut Families Associations seeks hereby seeks your approval of the conditional financial donation in favor of the Higher Relief Committee, worth 500,000 euros (fresh money) as a contribution to cover part of Lebanon’s financial contributions to the STL. The funds will be transferred to the STL’s account and necessary measures will be taken in accordance with the duly established procedures.’

Source: National News Agency