Hariri, Jumblatt say their alliance remains strong |
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07 December 2009
BEIRUT/ CHOUF: Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed his alliance with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt after a visit to the latter’s house in Mukhtara on Sunday. Hariri paid tribute to Jumblatt’s father slain politician Kamal Jumblatt, marking his birthday on December 6, 1917. He was assassinated in 1977.
Hariri headed to Mukhtara after having taken part in the annual Beirut Marathon.
In a chat with reporters following the meeting, Hariri said the Lebanese ought to follow on the path of his father, assassinated former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, as well as the path of Kamal Jumblatt, who “both worked to serve Lebanon’s interests.”
Saad Hariri and Walid Jumblatt’s talks also centered on the issue of Hizbullah’s arsenal, which will be discussed during National Dialogue sessions, Hariri told reporters.
Last week, Lebanon’s Cabinet adopted a policy statement granting Hizbullah the right to use its arms against Israel, despite the reservations of Christian ministers of the parliamentary majority.
Jumblatt stressed on Sunday that the PSP has adopted a “center position.” He urged supporters not to become “followers.”
“We shall not become followers to any movement or party,” he said, while stressing his “high respect” for the alliances and principles “we have fought hard to uphold at Martyrs Square.”
The PSP leader was referring to the series of demonstrations held in Beirut’s Martyrs Square in the aftermath of the assassination of Rafik Hariri in 2005 to demand the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon.
Meanwhile, parliamentary blocs mulled over the weekend the possibility of granting Hariri’s Cabinet a vote of confidence during deliberations in Parliament that are expected to kick off on Tuesday.
According to the Parliament’s Secretary General Adnan Daher, 60 MPs have booked a slot to address Parliament.
Speaker Nabih Berri, however, was not surprised by the number saying it was “only normal.”
Berri set Tuesday as the date for the start of a three-day process on a vote of confidence for Hariri’s 30-member Cabinet.
Jumblatt told Future News television on Sunday that he will not speak during Tuesday’s parliament session, adding that giving MPs the floor to speak during the session “will be nothing but a waste of time.”
Jumblatt said the Cabinet’s policy statement was in line with national consensus and has wide public support.
The issue of Hizbullah’s arsenal is expected to draw the most debate during the parliamentary deliberations.
Clause six of the Cabinet’s final draft states the right of “Lebanon, its government, its people, its army and its resistance” to liberate all Lebanese territory.
Hizbullah, which fought a devastating war with Israel in 2006, is commonly referred to as the resistance in Lebanon.
Hizbullah argues its arms are necessary to protect the country against any future aggression by Israel.
Hizbullah MP Nawwaf al-Moussawi said on Sunday that Hizbullah will never abandon its resistance against Israel despite criticism voiced by certain Lebanese groups.
Five Christian ministers, including those of the Phalange Party and Lebanese Forces, “expressed reservations” around a clause in the statement on Hizbullah’s arsenal. They argue the arsenal undermines state authority and runs counter to UN resolutions.
On Sunday, MP Samir Jisr of the Future Movement said MPs from the parliamentary majority will “deal positively” during debate sessions to grant the government a vote of confidence.
He said the government is likely to win a vote of confidence by over 100 votes.
“The majority MPs will deal positively with the debate sessions because it is their government, and their stances will be supportive of Premier Saad Hariri’s positions,” Jisr said.
Sources close to Speaker Berri’s Development and Liberation bloc said on Sunday it will “definitely” give the government its vote of confidence.
Meanwhile, Zahle MPs called for the respect and implementation of the Taif Accord. According the MPs, Taif grants the parliamentary majority “the right to rule,” which according the MPs, “is not currently the case.” The statement called for all the articles of the Taif Accord to be implemented, instead of selectively choosing parts of the agreement.
In other news over the weekend, Marada Movement leader MP Sleiman Franjieh said during an annual dinner for his party in the Regency Palace Hotel in Adma Saturday night that Syrian President Bashar Assad had worked “day and night to help form the Lebanese cabinet.”
He added that Syria occupied Lebanon with the approval of the international community, adding that many parties took advantage of the Syrian presence and then started heralding Lebanon’s sovereignty after Syria’s withdrawal.
Franjieh called on Hariri to choose his “true, faithful allies” to achieve the best for the country. Franjieh added he was against Palestinian naturalization, explaining that he opposes “demographic changes” to Lebanon, and added that he favored the establishment of a Palestinian state.
© Copyright The Daily Star 2009.
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