The head of the Democratic Gathering in Lebanon says that containing the repercussions of the verdict remains in the hands of the Prime Minister.

The head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt said on Tuesday that containing the repercussions of the indictment in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri lies in the hands of Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

Speaking to Syrian daily Al-Watan, Jumblatt noted that had the Special Tribunal for Lebanon been independent, countries would not be able to delay and speed up the issuing of the indictment.

"The obvious interference lies in US Permanent Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice\'s recent statements on the STL that did not address the Dahiyeh incident, but she instead discussed arms smuggling from Syria to Hezbollah even though the issue has nothing to do with the international investigation."

These statements are part of an organized American campaign against the opposition forces in the region, the Progressive Socialist Party leader noted. He stressed the need to reach a settlement over the STL to end the crisis in Lebanon over the indictment, which is targeting the Resistance.