Local Editor

"As-Safir" newspaper revealed the discussion between House Speaker Nabih Berri and the representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Lebanon, Michael Williams on Lebanon's rights in natural resources.
 
According to the paper, the discussion focused on the UN validity in the demarcation of the maritime border between Lebanon and occupied Palestine.

Mark Williams said that Resolution 1701 does not include this aspect, and therefore "UNIFIL" can't be engaged in this task. However, Berri replied "Mr. Williams, this is not accurate, especially that I was a partner in making 1701."

""UNIFIL" has a naval force, and this leads to the assumption that the UN can play a role at the level of assistance in the demarcation of the border unless if the purpose of having Navy is only to monitor our territorial waters and our shores," House Speaker stressed.

Insisting on his position, Williams answered "UN is not responsible for maritime demarcation, and in such cases the two concerned countries usually negotiate on how to demarcate the maritime boundary between them."
 
"I would like to go back with you to April 1996 understanding. This understanding noticed the
 formation of a committee of officers representing the Lebanese army and the "Israeli" occupation army as well as representatives from international forces, and its mission to discuss what could be disturbing the peace, and therefore this umbrella can be a cover for the role of the United Nations in the demarcation,"

In a high tone Berri said:" If we had this number of the martyrs and the wounded to defend the tree of Al-Odaysee, what about when it comes to defending our wealth oil. We will use all means to protect it from any attack and only God can stop us."
 

The paper drew attention that Williams left Ayn al-Tina politically heavy loaded, and returned back informing Berri that the UN atmosphere is better, while the U.S. Ambassador in Beirut, Maura Connelly transferred to Berri the same positive atmosphere, calling at the same time Lebanon to "focus on the technical side in the dispute with "Israel", and to stay away from the political excitement."

In addition, Berri noted that the resistance arms' opponents should be at its side now," drawing attention that "the value of oil reserves which fluctuates between 200 and 300 billion dollars, is enough to pay off public debt and to transfer Lebanon to the stage of economic and financial affluence."

In the course of correcting false arguments false issued by "March 14" figures, Berri said that "the Secretary General of Hizbullah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has already presented the party's view on defense strategy at the dialogue table, which was held in March 2006," pointing out that "Sayyed Nasrallah needed a an hour of time to explain the party's view on this strategy, and after the speech, the Chief Executive in the "Lebanese Forces" Samir Geagea, said that what he heard is worth study and reflection, asking him for time to prepare the response ."

Berri stressed that there are records and deliberations of that meeting and other meetings, "they are not mine they belong to the House of Representatives, and can be deployed in the event that all parties agree on that."
 
In respect of the International Tribunal, Berri reminded that it has been agreed upon in a few minutes, on the dialogue table, saying that "an agreement has been set with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to "Amal" and Hizbullah ministers some time in order to study the Court's Protocol and put their notes on it, But what happened is that Siniora turned against this agreement and rushed to hold a government's meeting to approve the protocol as it is."


Source: "as-Safir"  Lebanese Newspaper