BEIRUT: The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council has reiterated its support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, saying that it “expects all parties to fully cooperate with the tribunal.
”The council adopted several conclusions about Lebanon at a Monday meeting in Brussels, on topics that include the country’s new government, the STL, which is probing the 2005 assassination of Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and Lebanon’s relationship with Europe.

A statement on Monday’s conclusions said the council is concerned by the lack of an “explicit commitment to cooperate with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon” in the government’s policy statement, and that it calls upon the government to “respect and fulfill all its obligations and commitments stemming from UNSCR 1757.” UNSCR 1757 established the STL in 2007.

The statement also said the EU “welcomes the formation of a new government in Lebanon. It expects that the new government will ensure promotion of stability, unity, sovereignty and independence of Lebanon in full respect of the constitution and the rule of law.”
Further, the council stated that it expects the new government will be committed to the full implementation of “all relevant UNSC Resolutions,” including 1559, 1680, 1701, and 1757.