Leaders praise Nasrallah's 'calm' response to STL questioning

The remarks made by Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Wednesday evening prompted conflicting reactions from different political figures.

Lebanon First bloc MP Oqab Saqr spoke Thursday to reporters following a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. “Sfeir was impressed by the pragmatism and calmness of Nasrallah’s remarks and said that the country is now moving in a better track toward improving and fortifying its status,” Saqr said.

Speaking to Ash-Sharq radio station, Education and Higher Education Minister Hassan Mneimneh described Nasrallah’s remarks as “acceptable and natural,” adding that allowing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) to work without any advanced judgments will enable it to issue its verdict which “we should all accept.”

In an interview on Hizbullah-owned Al-Manar channel Wednesday night, Nasrallah confirmed rumors and media leaks claiming weeks ago that the STL questioned a number of Hizbullah members. “They called in 12 of our brothers in recent weeks, and I believe they are now in the process of summoning six more,” Nasrallah said adding that his party was not currently in the tribunal’s line of fire.

However, Nasrallah doubted the credibility of the STL, saying the resistance would continue to cooperate with investigators but only if the court’s work proved to be on the right track away from politicization attempts.

He stressed the investigation committee could regain trust and restore its image by halting media leaks and trying witnesses who committed perjury.