SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES NETHERLANDS’ FAVOURABLE RESPONSE TO HOST LEBANON

TRIBUNAL, CREATED TO PROSECUTE THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR RAFIQ HARIRI’S DEATH

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General was pleased to receive on 15 August a letter from Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende informing him that the Government of the Netherlands is favourably disposed to hosting the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which was created to prosecute those responsible for the attack that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and others.  Pursuant to Security Council resolution 1757 (2007), the Secretary-General is taking the steps and measures necessary to establish the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in a timely manner.

In his letter to the Government of the Netherlands last month, the Secretary-General emphasized that the experience and knowledge gained by the Netherlands in hosting several international courts and tribunals was invaluable.  He cited the unique and essential role of the Netherlands in the development of international justice and the rule of law.

The Secretary-General will dispatch a delegation to the Netherlands in the coming weeks to discuss practical arrangements required for the establishment and operation of the Special Tribunal.

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For information media • not an official record