Lebanon in Cairo’s Meeting, Suleiman Lauds Army
From the high head of Maroun al-Ras, the Sayyed showed up
With his rumbling voice, His Eminence made the enemy as well as his followers hear that God's promise is right and the victory is coming.
There, in Maroun where the battle has a different taste and the breeze plays with the children's swing, was the promise and the Covenant.
Palestine was and will remain the case and one day Palestine will not only hear our voice, but its capital of dignity (al-Quds) will witness our prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque and the Resurrection Church.
Sayyed Nasrallah: Al-Quds Part of Religion, Culture, Prayers
Stressing that "no one may give up a grain of dust or a drop of water, gas, or oil from Palestine," the Secretary General of Hizbullah His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah stressed that "the establishment of a Palestinian state on 1967 territories, is a Palestinian affair, but not at the expense of the rest of the land, the people, and soil of Palestine."
Speaking via video link on the anniversary of "al-Quds Day", Sayyed Nasrallah said: "We chose this location because of the sacrifices of the Lebanese people, army and the sons of this land who transformed Maroun al-Ras into a symbol of perseverance and resistance during the July 2006 war."
"Al-Quds is part of our religion, culture, and prayers," His Eminence emphasized.
Asserting that "we will not allow some Lebanese to sell Lebanon and Palestine to the US and a settlement will not take place at Lebanon's expense," the Secretary General called all on Arab and friendly states to combine efforts to end the unrest in Syria.
"We all seek to support Syria in order for it to develop. Every side that claims friendship and fear for Syria and its national unity and stability should take part in seeking solution in Syria, through dialogue", His Eminence referred, reiterating that "those who want NATO foreign interference and seek internal incitement, actually seek Syria's collapse."
"This land here would not have been liberated had it not been for the resistance, and the resistance would not have won if had it not been for Syrian support," Sayyed Nasrallah said.
Noting that "Lebanon was no longer the weakest country in the region as it used to be in the past," he clarified that "Lebanon is now strong and can stand up to "Israel" as a result of the tripartite equation: the army, the people and the resistance, adopted by the government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati and previous governments."
""Israel" can no longer attack Lebanon at will as it used to do in the past to escape from its domestic crises or problems with regional states. Lebanon has become a trap for "Israel"," His Eminence added.
Sayyed Nasrallah accused "the US and "Israel" of plotting with the assistance of some Lebanese groups to destroy the army, people and resistance formula as a service to "Israel".
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"I am not accusing anyone of collaboration, but you are serving "Israel" with or without your knowledge," he said.
"Targeting the army and inciting opposition against it and calling on officers to revolt, in whose interest is this? Is it in the interest of Lebanon, Palestine and the resistance?" Nasrallah asked
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Addressing the indictments recently released by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Sayyed Nasrallah reiterated that "everything the STL issues is worthless."
Lebanon, Arab Council
Moving to the internal Lebanese scene, "as-Safir" Lebanese daily reported Saturday that Lebanon awaits a diplomatic event today as the Arab Council of Ministers meets in Cairo in the presence of Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour in order to discuss the situation in Libya, Syria and Yemen.
A key Lebanese official source told "as-Safir" that "Lebanon is coordinating the stance on the meeting with Syria due to several considerations. The foreign ministers of the two countries are constantly holding consultations on the stances to be adopted and future prospects."
Asserting that "any statement to be issued by the meeting should obtain Arab unanimity as per the Arab League's statute," the newspaper's source clarified that "so far, such unanimity is unavailable, at least on the Syrian and Lebanese levels."
According to the source, "this hold true, especially that the Qataris are giving Syria a choice between two options: Either internationalizing the Syrian issue, i.e. sending it to the Security Council, or accepting the establishment of an Arab follow-up committee."
Mean while, a diplomatic source told "as-Safir" that "the Russian project that was proposed to the Security Council Friday embarrassed the Americans and will embarrass the Arabs in the Cairo meeting."
Electricity Consultations
On the electricity draft, "ad-Diyar" newspaper said that "National Struggle Front
Leader" MP Walid Jumblatt held a prolonged meeting with Economy Minister Charbel Nahhas in his capacity as Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's envoy and agreed on having Bassil supervise the regulatory authority.
According to the daily, Jumblatt asserted that "the decision to establish this authority is irrevocable."
In the same context, House Speaker Nabih Berri met with Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abu Faour for one-and-a-half hour.
Abu Faour asserted that there is no consensus so far on the electricity issue, stressing that openness to any wording takes into consideration the reasons underlying the PSP stance.
Sources close to PM Najib Mikati have unveiled that "Nahhas is working on a consensual draft law that would be proposed to the government."
Army to Lawsuit Daher
In another context, President Michel Suleiman said Friday that political stability backed by security stability contributes to a large extent to economic growth in the country.
In a statement issued by his press office, Suleiman expressed his confidence "in the ability of the Lebanese economy to rise and adjust to the developments due to the investments that Lebanese expatriates make in the country."
Suleiman positions came as he held talks with Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji at his summer residence in Beiteddine.
Seeking to mute "March 14" campaign against the army, Suleiman lauded the military institution for enjoying "national immunity against political bickering and the stances made from time to time."
He also praised "the role the army plays in preserving civil peace and defending its borders and the unity among its ranks."
According to "al-Binaa" Newspaper the Defense Department is moving toward filing a lawsuit against "Future" MP Khaled ad-Daher accusing him "of calling the military to revolt and pushing the country towards sedition."
In parallel, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour met Friday with US Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly to discuss Lebanon's international commitments and obligations.
The two officials, who met at Mansour's office, also spoke about the ongoing situation in Syria and Libya, a statement from the embassy said.
Source: Lebanese newspapers
