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STL Spokesperson: Too Early to Predict the Sentence in Lebanon's Hariri Case

Signage in front of the building of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in Leidschendam, Netherlands, picture taken on Aug. 18, 2020 (AFP).
Signage in front of the building of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in Leidschendam, Netherlands, picture taken on Aug. 18, 2020 (AFP).
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STL Spokesperson: Too Early to Predict the Sentence in Lebanon's Hariri Case

Signage in front of the building of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in Leidschendam, Netherlands, picture taken on Aug. 18, 2020 (AFP).
Signage in front of the building of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in Leidschendam, Netherlands, picture taken on Aug. 18, 2020 (AFP).

The spokesperson of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), Wajed Ramadan, said that the verdict issued on Tuesday would be followed by successive steps, beginning with notifying Salim Ayyash – the main culprit – of the ruling and informing the three other defendants, Hassan Habib Merhi, Hussein Hassan Oneissi, and Assad Sabra of their acquittal.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ramadan noted that the Registrar would take all the legal steps to notify the accused of the verdict. Since the accused was tried in absentia, she said that a certified copy of the verdict would be sent to the Lebanese authorities, which in turn, would notify the culprit in line with the procedures stipulated by the applicable Lebanese laws.

Asked about the mechanisms that can be adopted by the Court in the event the Lebanese authorities were unable or prevented from reaching Ayyash, Ramadan said: “We are confident that Lebanon will cooperate with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and it is not appropriate to speculate about what the Lebanese authorities will do to implement the punishment.”

Regarding the sentence that will be based on the charges against Ayyash, the spokesperson noted that determining the punishment was separate from the trial procedures.

“The Prosecutor and the defense may provide any relevant information that can help the Trial Chamber determine an appropriate punishment. The Trial Chamber may also authorize the affected participants to submit notes related to the personal impact of the crimes on them. A convicted person may be sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of his life,” she explained.

While noting that “the pronouncement of the sentence shall take place in an independent public session,” Ramadan said that if the convicted person was at large and not present at the time of the judgment and the sentence, the Trial Chamber issues an arrest warrant against him, and the Prosecutor and the convicted person may both appeal the judgment or the sentence.”

She also emphasized that it was “too early to speculate on the punishment.”

“When the sentence is announced, the Trial Chamber will issue new local and international arrest warrants against Ayyash,” she stated.

Ramadan underlined that the Trial Chamber has “proven that Ayyash did not carry out the plot alone, and that evidence has shown, without any doubt, that the red communication network, which is formed of eight users, including Ayyash, constituted the assassination team.”

She reiterated that the culprit was convicted on five charges: conspiracy aimed at committing a terrorist act; committing a terrorist act by means of an explosive device, intentional homicide of Rafik Hariri with premeditation by using explosive materials, intentional homicide of 21 persons in addition to Hariri, and attempted intentional homicide of 226 persons with premeditation by using explosive materials.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.