1. Hariri in Syria: a new political order? BEIRUT, By Nayla Chahla | iloubnan.info - December 21, 2009
As it was scheduled several weeks ago, the visit of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to Syria has come amid a true transitional period that Lebanon has been witnessing lately. Prepared by other visits, one of which the recent visit of Lebanese President Michel Sleiman to Syria, this one was considered as “a turning point’ in the Lebanese-Syrian relations which deteriorated since 2005, after the assassination of former Premier Rafic Hariri. What could be the new political order to emerge from that visit? Focus with the political scientist Paul Salem.
…3- How do you locate this visit regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, especially that Syria is suspected of involvement in Hariri case?
To my opinion, this visit will not have any impact on the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. This Tribunal is already established and is moving forward in its procedures. Lebanon is fully committed thereto. So, Hariri’s visit to Syria and the Tribunal issue are two independent questions. The latter will not halt its work, but on the contrary, it will keep up with its procedures until the whole work is done. The only question to be asked in this regard is about the outcome of the ongoing investigations. Would they confirm Syria’s involvement in Rafic Hariri’s assassination? Here lies the crux of the whole matter.
2. UN pays tribute to outgoing registrar of Special Tribunal for Lebanon
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday said that he regrets that the registrar of the United Nations-backed tribunal set up to try the perpetrators of political killings in Lebanon is stepping down, but congratulated him on his appointment as the head of an organization focusing on transitional justice. Ban, in a statement issued here by his spokesman, said that the registrar of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, David Tolbert, seeks resignation as he intends to become president of a leading global rights organization in New York….During Tolbert’s tenure, which began in August 2009, the Special Tribunal has made “excellent progress,” Ban said, noting his achievements which include a solid administrative infrastructure that supported future judicial activities with key measures undertaken for witness protection and court management.
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAEiuwiOpf0
4. David Tolbert appointed ICTJ President
NEW YORK, January 12, 2010 — David Tolbert, as part of a distinguished career in international justice, will become president of the International Center for Transitional Justice on March 2, 2010. Mr. Tolbert arrives at ICTJ after serving as Registrar for the United Nations’ Special Tribunal for Lebanon, based in The Hague, during a tenure of almost 15 years at the UN as a senior legal advisor, deputy chief prosecutor and assistant secretary-general.
