THE DAILY STAR, LEBANON The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is set to begin the trial of the suspects in the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri next month, and it is hoped that the court developments will finally end the annoying sideshows that have accompanied the long-awaited proceedings. ... The caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, and the caretaker finance minister, Mohammad Safadi, [have been] engaged in a disappointing round of accusations over responsibility for the delay in paying Lebanon`s court dues.

They were acting as if they were doing a favour to the country by processing the payment, as each tried to convince the public that the other hadn`t followed the correct bureaucratic routine. They and other politicians often forget the importance of adhering to a government-approved, international commitment that is years old. The STL payment should be routine and not deserving of a commotion....

Naturally, a louder sort of noise is coming from the camp that opposes the STL. As the court date draws closer, Hezbollah and its allies are busy making overt and covert attacks on the tribunal. This camp refuses to acknowledge that the STL has moved steadily along with an investigation and preparations for a groundbreaking criminal trial.. .

. .In contrast, the parties and individuals who have worked tirelessly against the court continue to wield their scepticism and cynicism to detract from its professionalism.

...The only thing that`s clear is that when the trial finally kicks off, arguments and counterarguments ... will finally occupy the public`s attention. (Dec 23) •