March 14 Doubts Suleiman’s Moderation, Lebanon Expresses Solidarity with Syria
In July 2006, Syria proved to be a good friend to Lebanon, since it embraced its borders along with its people in the times of sufferings and calamities. Now, when it seems needy for help, and for a glimpse of hope, Syria has received Lebanon's help in return for the tough solidarity it has given to Lebanon throughout the recent decades.
However this comes in light of an international campaign launched against the Syrian regime, accusing it of vicious action against its own people, while in fact, once again it has been proved that the "foreign interference" game is playing a "not so well-written scenario" to destroy every supporter of the resistance.
While the Arab League proposed an initiative, indicating that it will send a legal and regulatory team to observe the situation in Syria up close, Russia stressed that the Arab and international pressure exerted on the Syrian regime will only lead to a "broad civil war".
The Lebanese Dailies tackled the Syrian issue as well as other domestic affairs.
Domestically, Lebanon held on Thursday the opening ceremony for the Lebanese Economic Forum, under the auspices of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and in presence of Ministers of Finance and Public Works, in addition to other MPs and diplomatic figures. On this level, Mikati affirmed that Lebanon is monitoring all "changes witnessed in the region, and developments in the international economies, and seeks to avoid all repercussions" that would possibly reach Lebanon in this regard.
Also, Mikati noted that the government is giving "national dialogue" priority, in order to enhance domestic unity, tackle social affairs, and restore the economic developments. He further said that Lebanon should always draw the attention of investors, therefore the security situation should be contained, adding that it is currently under control.
In a different context, the Lebanese PM issued a statement in which he strictly denied allegations published by Al-Liwa' newspaper, stating that he will resign if his allies in the government, namely "Hizbullah, Amal Movement, and the Free Patriotic Movement", don't agree on funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
Moreover on the governmental level, Minister of Transportation and Public Works Ghazi Aridi has launched the largest campaign ever on the government, accusing it of ignoring the social and economic issues of the people. This debate is mainly taking part between Minister Aridi and Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi.
Minister Aridi vowed to suspend his ministerial work, in an attempt to protest the freeze in budget designated for the Ministry of Works.
The financial situation is for sure grasping great attention on the governmental and popular levels. According to As-Safir newspaper, people are seeking an official "bailout" plan for their salaries in case the issue was not agreed upon in consensus between all the cabinet's parties. This plan admits the increase of salary rate from 500,000 L.L to 700,000 L.L, with a raise that would reach 250,000 L.L, in addition to increasing transportation expenses from 8,000 L.L to 10,000 L.L. And as the people are thinking about their future and that of their children, they have also demanded an increase in school grants reaching 750,000 L.L for each child.
This comes amid "almost" restoring ties between Aridi's National Struggle Front and the Further Movement. Recently, Head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt received a delegation from the Future Movement bloc, including MPs Ahmad Fatfat, Ziad al-Qadiri, and Hadi Hbeish. Both sides believe that doors of communication and cooperation should always be open.
In addition to that, al-Akhbar newspaper reported that the March 14 forces are gradually cutting their ties with Lebanese President Michele Suleiman, claiming he is being biased to the March 8 camp. Although President Suleiman is apparently seeking content of almost all Lebanese parties, the March 14 parties do not consider him doing so. This scenario has been taking place since the Najib Mikati's government was formed, seeking to deteriorate the image of the consensual president which was agreed upon by all Lebanese parties.
What mainly irritates the March 14 camp is Suleiman's "political" positions, on the Lebanese and regional levels. March 14, or the current opposition, indicated that the Suleiman shouldn't defend Hizbullah and its arms, and on another hand support the Special Tribunal for Lebanon as well, stating a clear contradiction in his stances. They also expressed displeasure for President Suleiman's support for Speaker Nabih Berri's stance, in which he refused the Arab League decisions against Syria.
Back to the Syrian level, yet in Lebanon, Beirut hosted a national gathering to express solidarity with the Syrian people. The event organized by The Independent Nasserite Movement, was held under the motto "Support and Confrontation for the Sake of Arab Syria". Present at the gathering were Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali, Hizbullah Political Council member Ghaleb Abu Zeinab, and other representatives from different Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syria factions.
Moscow, on its part warned that the pressure exerted by the Syrian opposition and the western countries will lead to an inclusive "civil war". However, this warning did not find acceptance in Washington, Europe and Turkey; the axis which continued its campaign against the regime led by President Bashar Assad. After a meeting with the European Union high commissioner Catherine Ashton, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the foreign forces of triggering tension in Syria, in order to justify its interference in the Syrian internal affairs.
Furthermore, the Islamic Brotherhood based in Syria, announced they are willing to accept a Turkish interference in their country to help end the alleged crackdown on civilians. The Syrian opposition is actually accepting a "military" interference, without taking into consideration the possible repercussions of a military strike, had it been by Turkey or the NATO crew.
International and Arab forces should by now have understood that any military interference would out the lives of innocent people at stake, like what happened in Libya. This situation should be condemned at the time when the Arabs should be given space to solve their own problem through dialogue without any interference.
Source: Lebanese Newspapers, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org team
