President Suleiman: With "Israeli" Threats & Absence of a Defense Strategy, Resistance Arms Cannot be Under State comm

President Michel Suleiman, said in an interview with the "Al-Diyar" newspaper, "The demand that the resistance places its arms under State control is not possible or permissible, under the current regional atmosphere that is fraught with danger. This is while ‘Israel' beats the drums of war every day, and no agreement reached yet on a defensive strategy to protect Lebanon, particularly since the resistance has achieved a great deal and since the mentioned strategy will determine how to benefit from its weapons."

President Suleiman indicated that talk of resistance arms greatly lessens as the internal tensions ease, and increase as the domestic political conflict worsens. Hence, the continuation of dialogue between the parties is essential for the survival of the political scene, away from tension and media bickering, the establishment of a pending defense strategy, and the resumption of reinforcing the army and security forces.

To this end, President Suleiman stressed saying "The sectarian line up witnessed in Lebanon and not done away with yet is the problem and not denominationalism. The latter represents the preservation of the rights of every confession in Lebanon, according to the Constitution."

He pointed out that "If denominationalism is freed of the weight of sectarianism, coupled with everyone's commitment to the text of the constitution (that there is no legitimacy to any formula contravening the co-existence formula), we will be able to introduce a parliamentary election law based on proportional representation in the entire country, under which respect for the rights of each confession can be preserved, away from deadly sectarian alignments."

On the municipal elections, the president categorically refused the description that says Jbeil electoral battle is one between two Generals, Michel Aoun and Michel Suleiman. He added saying "First and foremost I am the President of the Republic; the President does not enter into election or non-election battles with anyone, especially if he is a consensual President, who stands at equal distance from all sides."

In the same vein, President Suleiman indicated that the Jbail municipal battle is one of families, which some wanted to turn political. The President reiterated his readiness to support any municipal councils elected, and that he would follow up with the concerned ministries and departments on the delivery of municipalities to their financial rights, to enable them to carry out their responsibilities and duties in the development field.

President Suleiman confirmed that Lebanon's Arab friendships have returned to the respect and support of before, especially with Syria, indicating that "Our renewed openness to the world and everyone's dealing with the State, the President and Government, form additional guarantees for the stability and progress of the country."