HDC to Convene, Gov’t to Discuss Safadi’s Draft Law, Appointments
In the Lebanese heritage of proverbs, ancients said "who knocks the door is to receive the answer."
And in our days, US ambassadors not only knock the door but enter the Lebanese house of politics and sovereignty without any permission.
However, the diplomacy of audacity based on crossing all norms received Wednesday a strike from the Lebanese government.
Lebanon responded to US ambassador Mura Connelly's blatant meddling in Lebanese internal affairs manifested by her urge to the Lebanese government to protect the armed Syrian opposition members and particularly the so-called Free Syrian army.
Gov't, Mansour Answers Connelly's Audacity
In its statement issued after Wednesday's session, chaired by Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail, the Lebanese government "reminded foreign diplomats of their duty to adhere to national and international laws governing the behavior of representatives of overseas governments."
"Diplomats should adhere to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Lebanese law, as well as to respect Lebanese state institutions," Information Minister Walid Daouq told reporters.
Similarly, Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour affirmed that Lebanon "cannot perform such a request; it rather acts according to its interest, security situation and capabilities."
In an interview with "al-Manar" TV, Mansour stressed that "the Lebanese state can't provide support to armed members stationed on the Lebanese territories."
Confirming that "we do not want to create a security problem in Lebanon that exceeds our capabilities and violates our policy," the minister pointed out that "offering a safe haven to armed elements is an unacceptable thing."
"We do not want another Ashraf Camp in Lebanon," he highlighted referring to the armed camp of Iranian terrorist group so-called MKO "Mujahidin Khalq Organization" located in Iraq.
HDC to Convene, "Israel" Violates 1701
Meanwhile, the Higher Defense Council is to convene Thursday headed by President Michel Suleiman, and on top of the expected discussions is the situation on Lebanese-Syrian borders.
"As-Safir" Lebanese newspaper quoted Thursday a ministerial member of the Council as informing that "the discussion is to focus on controlling the borders and the distinction between the need to deal firmly with insurgents and weapons' smuggling in both directions and between requirements of receiving displaced civilian Syrians in Lebanon."
The source expected that "the discussion also addresses the issue of activating cooperation and coordination between various Lebanese security services to ensure access to better results at the field level."
At another security concern, the "Israeli" army violated Wednesday the Lebanese land sovereignty parallel to its continuous breach of air.
According to National News Agency a 10 soldiers "Israeli" troop moved from its military post in the occupied Lebanese village "al-Ghajar" and advanced towards the recreational parks on the bank of the Wazzani River in Lebanese territory.
"The force crossed the electronic fence and stationed itself in the area located between the fence and the virtual Blue Line," the agency clarified adding that "some soldiers took combat positions, pointing their machineguns at the Lebanese territory."
In response, Lebanese army and UNIFIL arrived on the scene to monitor the movements of the "Israeli force that shortly left the area.
Gov't to Discuss Appointments, Safadi's Bill
At the political level, the government is scheduled to meet Friday morning with a 30 items agenda on top of which are the appointments and Finance minister Mohammed Safadi's draft law on legalizing extra spending.
The draft law is aimed at finding a solution for the financial scandal resembled by undocumented extra-budgetary spending during the era of former PMs Fouad Siniora and Saad Hariri i.e. between 2006 and 2010.
However, "as-Safir" mentioned that the minister's draft law is likely to face the rejection of "Change and Reform Bloc" ministers whose sources said they could not study the bill within 48 hours.
As the bloc insists that "March 14" must present the accounts of the spending to show the source of embezzlement, its sources confirmed to the daily that "ministers should be informed about the governmental agenda a week before its discussion.
"Safadi's draft-law calls for opening additional credits for the 2006-2010 budgets. It is unconstitutional to approve the budgets of these years and increase the credits five years after the end of the 2006 fiscal year," the bloc's sources told "as-Safir".
They further said that "the mentioned draft-law is a constitutional and legal heresy that hasn't been witnessed in Lebanon before."
However, ministerial sources told "an-Nahar" daily that "the draft-law was prepared with accuracy and proficiency and that its 40 pages weren't written within a day or two."
In parallel, the government is also expected to discuss the issue of appointments.
Administrative Affairs Minister Mohammed Fneish informed "as-Safir" that "some ministers suggested several names according to the adopted mechanism."
"The candidates were interviewed and the issue might be tackled during Friday's session," he added.
In the same context, "al-Liwaa" daily pointed out President Suleiman and MP Michel Aoun reached a consensus on the name of the candidate to head the Higher Judicial Council.
STL's Political Face
At the Special Tribunal for Lebanon's front, "al-Akhbar" daily commented on the 3rd annual report of the tribunal that urged the Lebanese authorities to escalate their efforts of tracking, arresting, and transferring the so-called Hizbullah accused members in the assignation of former PM Rafiq Hariri.
"The issued directive confirms the subjection of Lebanese state to international judicial custody," "al-Akhbar" said referring to a clear sign of continuous coordination between STL and political sides.
"On the 21 September 2011, the STL President Cassese and his deputy vice talked in a diplomatic briefing held in Hague and hosted by Canadian ambassador at the headquarters of residence," the paper uncovered.
Source: Lebanese newspaper, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
