30 January 2007
BEIRUT: The Free Patriotic Movement's Reform and Change parliamentary bloc vowed on Monday that it would defeat "all attempts to stir sectarian strife among the Lebanese."
In a statement issued after its regular meeting headed by FPM leader MP Michel Aoun, the bloc said it would not allow "the return of the militias that led the country into the Civil War."
The FPM also launched a fresh attack against Premier Fouad Siniora's government, calling it the "de facto government - imposed on the Lebanese whether they like it or not."
It also denounced last Tuesday's riots which according to the party, were used by the "de facto government and its militias to stir strife and lead the country into a civil war."
Opposition parties, including Hizbullah and the FPM, held a general strike last Tuesday, during which they blocked roads and burned tires. In some parts of the country, clashes broke out between pro- and anti-government demonstrators.
At least three people were killed and 130 others wounded during the clashes between the rival forces.
The FPM accused "government militias" of attacking "unarmed people and private property during the riots."
It also accused the government of "violating the role of the army and security forces as part of a strategy to implement settlement and division plans."
On the other hand, the FPM said that it welcomed any "Arab or non-Arab initiatives aimed at resolving Lebanon's deteriorating crisis."
"However," it added, "any initiative will not succeed unless it is based on an internal agreement, which was first launched by the memorandum of accord between Hizbullah and the FPM."
Aoun's bloc also said the government's stalling in revealing the truth behind the series of assassinations "might be done on purpose."
"This stalling would not make us forget about these assassinations," the statement added. - The Daily Star
