Cabinet statement expected to exclude resistance weapons |
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17 November 2009
BEIRUT: The Cabinet’s policy statement is expected to be ratified prior to Independence Day on November 22 as political parties seemed to have agreed Monday to postpone tackling controversial issues, including but not restricted to Hizbullah’s weapons, to upcoming dialogue sessions. Prime Minister Saad Hariri presided on Monday over the ministerial committee tasked with formulating the Cabinet’s policy statement at the grand Serail in downtown Beirut.
“I formulated the first part of the ministerial statement’s draft to be discussed today including the political and economic policies of the new Cabinet, while the remaining articles would tackle each ministry’s priorities,” Information Minister Tarek Mitri said ahead of the committee’s meeting.
Mitri stressed that the formulation of the statement would be promptly concluded; however, he rejected to announce a deadline.
“The statement’s formulation would be open to dialogue and discussion,” Mitri said when asked about the issue of Hizbullah’s weapons.
The committee is scheduled to meet again on Wednesday to discuss the economic policies of the new government, particularly with regard to future privatization projects.
Prior to the committee’s meeting, Hariri held talks with Phalange Party official and Social Affairs Minister Salim Sayegh, who later took part in the session held to discuss the ministerial statement.
Sayegh, who is a member of the committee charged with drafting the ministerial statement, missed the first session held by the committee, underscoring his party’s discontent with its ministerial share.
The Phalange Party had demanded to be allotted the Education portfolio but was instead granted the Social Affairs Ministry.
The Phalange Party, along with Lebanese Forces officials and other March 14 figures, also expressed on earlier occasions their refusal to legitimize Hizbullah’s weapons in the ministerial statement.
Sayegh stressed Monday the need to discuss controversial issues during national dialogue sessions, in order to speed up the conclusion of the ministerial statement, adding that the issue of Hizbullah’s weapons was related to the defense strategy.
Sayegh added that it was normal for his party to hold an independent stance regarding the statement until the issue had been discussed with its allies in the parliamentary majority.
Meanwhile, Future Movement MP Ammar Houri said the ministerial statement would be drafted in a direct and concise manner as he stressed that no major obstacles hindered its formulation.
Houri called for a ministerial statement that reflects national consensus, adding that Hariri’s upcoming visit to Syria is deemed normal, recalling former Premier Fouad Siniora’s visit to Damascus in the wake the Cabinet formation in 2005.
Future Movement MP Ahmad Fatfat said Monday the Future bloc would accept, without reservation, any ministerial statement already approved by its leader, Hariri.
Lebanon First MP Imad Hout said the statement would be based upon that of the previous Cabinet, particularly with regard to controversial issues such as Hizbullah’s weapons.
Similarly, Minister of State Adnan Sayyed Hussein – nominated by President Michel Sleiman – stressed that the ministerial statement adopted by the previous Cabinet was the most suitable, particularly concerning the resistance’s weapons, adding that the issue should be tackled away from the media.
However, Hussein added that any article could be subject to amendment, since Lebanon faced a new period with all parties open to dialogue.
Hussein underlined the need to conclude the Cabinet’s policy statement prior to the Independence Day, given the positive atmosphere and consensus among the Lebanese.
Hussein added that the issue of privatization projects would not stir conflicts, since they would only be implemented if they were of benefit to the Lebanese people’s interests.
Meanwhile; opposition officials stressed Monday the need to strengthen national consensus and the role of the resistance, in order to stand firm against Israeli threats.
Development and Liberation bloc MP Abdel-Majeed Saleh said the ministerial statement would gain the approval of the Lebanese Parliament, despite differences between political parties, as he stressed the need to strengthen Lebanon’s domestic situation to stand firm against Israeli threats, preserve coexistence and promote national unity.
Hizbullah’s Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Mohammad Raad said the new Cabinet reflected consensus among Lebanese parties, as he stressed the need to strengthen the role of the resistance from within and outside the government, especially after strengthening Lebanese-Syrian relations.
Separately; Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt called on politicians to refrain from hampering the Cabinet’s work by overbidding on issues scheduled to be discussed during national dialogue sessions, like the defense strategy.
“Before finding an alternative enabling the integration of Hizbullah’s weapons within the official state’s institutions, these arms in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces, remain necessary in order to confront a possible Israeli attack,” Jumblatt said.
© Copyright The Daily Star 2009.
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