Dubai: The British Foreign Secretary has said that abandoning the Special Tribunal for Lebanon would be a negative act for the Lebanese people.

“Lack of justice is more dangerous for long-term stability and not in [the] interests of Lebanese people,” William Hague, Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, said in response to a Gulf News question via Twitter.

“I strongly support the STL completing its work,” he tweeted in response to another question.
Hague took part in the Twitter session while in Damascus, on his first visit to Syria since taking up the post. He met President Bashar Al Assad and Foreign Minister Walid Al Muallam before speaking at a press conference.

“The UK looks for a government that is formed in accordance with Lebanon’s constitution; that commands the broadest possible support of the people of Lebanon; that upholds its international obligations including the Special Tribunal and an end to impunity for assassinations. Above all it should be a government that is committed to restraint and the principle of non-violence, as well as a sovereign and independent future for Lebanon,” Hague said.

The UK Foreign Secretary has been using Twitter as a Q&A medium to answer questions on foreign policy. Answers are restricted to 140 characters, as per the microblogging site’s format, making both questions and answers short and concise.

The Foreign Secretary made clear the British Government’s “constant belief of human rights and political and religious freedoms” and pointed to “an opportunity for closer relations between Syria and the UK over time, if we can build greater understanding on these and other issues”. At least 240 internet sites are blocked in Syria, and journalists are concerned about the effects of a new law that – if passed – would give the government the right to raid premises and seize reporters’ computers.

“I certainly think it is a mistake to try and suppress social media or other forms of expression,” Hague replied to a question asking if he would urge Syria to release its grip on the internet and put a stop to the arrest of bloggers.

The UK Government believes in a “frank and active” dialogue with Syria, “notwithstanding the issues on which our governments have disagreed in the past and of course we may disagree in some respects in the future,” he said.

Other areas that arose during the meeting with President Assad were the UK’s support of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, and he stressed “support for all those truly working towards a peaceful and lasting settlement” which must be “based on 1967 borders and involve a just settlement for refugees as well as Jerusalem as the capital of both states”.

While Hague Tweeted that Israel has a right to security, he added that the blockade of Gaza is “counterproductive & should be lifted”.