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Lebanese politicians hail Egypt's uprising

14 February 2011

BEIRUT: Lebanese parties across the political spectrum have hailed the popular uprising in Egypt and agreed that it will provide the foundations for the reinforcement of Cairo’s role as a major Arab player.

While March 14 officials said the establishment of a democratic Egyptian state would put an end to the Arab world’s decadence, Hezbollah and its allies described the fall of Mubarak’s regime as a victory for resistance movements against Israel.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati said Egypt had turned a new page in its history as he voiced hope that national unity reigns among all Egyptian factions in order to promote the country’s role as a leading state in defense of Arab rights.

“We hope that national unity is strengthened among all factions of the Egyptian people as proven during the glorious days of the Egypt revolution so that this dear country remains the stronghold of Arabism and the front line in defense of Arab rights,” he said.

Speaker Nabih Berri said the popular uprising in Egypt has put an end to foreign influence over Cairo and laid the foundations of democracy away from foreign domination.

“The Egyptian revolution following that of Tunisia irrigated the Arab land with democracy, ending foreign hegemony and leading the way to Palestine if God wills,” Berri said.

Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri was more careful in his approach, saying Cairo’s success in overcoming the difficult transition period through peaceful and democratic means would guarantee it a leading regional role that upholds the Arab nation’s interests and those of the Egyptian people.

“We trust that our Egyptian brothers in cooperation with the army can overcome this difficult period and guarantee all the elements for a peaceful and democratic transition of power that preserves stability in Egypt to meet the patriotic and nationalist ambitions of the Egyptian people,” he said.

Echoing Hariri, Future Movement parliamentary bloc leader Fouad Siniora said democratic change would restore Egypt’s role on both the Arab and regional level, which would consequently boost the position of the Arab world.

But Siniora hailed the “achievements” of the ousted president, noting his struggle against Israel and his efforts to promote his country on the regional and international stage.

Siniora added that the popular uprising which called for freedom, sovereignty, independence and justice mirrored the aspirations of all Arabs seeking the endorsement of a civil state and the rule of law.

“We hope your peaceful revolution succeeds in changing the direction of our Arab region to enable us to stop the state of decadence and allow us to reorganize our priorities appropriately in order to strengthen unity and solidarity among our people,” Siniora said.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s Loyalty to Resistance bloc MP Ali Fayyad said change in Egypt would directly impact the overall situation in the Arab world.

Fayyad’s colleague, caretaker Agriculture Minister Hussein Hajj Hassan said the fall of Mubarak’s regime would impact the Arab-Israeli conflict by dealing a blow to U.S. and Israeli plots to spread chaos in the region by instigating Sunni-Shiite and Christian-Muslim strife.

Hezbollah ally and Free Patriotic Movement leader, MP Michel Aoun, called on the Egyptian people to remain united to reap the rewards of its victorious revolution.

“Every division is a loss to our nation,” Aoun said, adding that “democratic change can only be preserved through unity.”

Vice President of the Higher-Shiite Council Sheik Abdel-Amir Qabalan called on Arab authoritarian regimes to learn from the Egyptian experience and implement reforms.

“Unjust leaders should learn that it is impossible that the current situation remains unchanged and they should return to justice, righteousness and integrity,” Sheik Qabalan said. – The Daily Star

© Copyright The Daily Star 2011.