Berri: Resistance Our Honor, Suleiman Fears Syria’s Repercussions
As some Lebanese parties insist on extending the Syrian fire into the Lebanese arena, others play the role of firefighters to preserve the country's security and stability.
Hours after the Lebanese national dialogue ended its first session, some political parties related to the Syria rebels preferred militia acts on the calls for calm and unity to face danger.
In this context, six Lebanese citizens and Syrian workers were kidnapped in Wadi Khaled region under the pretext that the resident Suleiman al-Ahmad has been dragged to Syria.
Meanwhile, al-Ahmad was released Tuesday and the four kidnapped were freed from the "hospitality" of their Northern abductees.
This came as Syrian armed groups continued attacking workers heading to Lebanon. On Tuesday, at least three dead and several injured Syrian workers were transferred into Bekka's hospitals after they were targeted by the rebels.
In parallel, the Baabda national dialogue atmosphere overshadowed the Lebanese political scene which is to testify the level of commitment to the conferees' declarations.
Berri: Resistance Our Honor, Dialogue Was Good
In this context, House Speaker Nabih Berri viewed that what Akkar region witnessed from kidnapping incidents was enough to resume the dialogue, even if the issue was limited to take a picture."
"What if we succeeded in releasing an important statement as in Baabda?" Berri wondered and noted "the dialogue's atmosphere was good and beneficial."
In an interview with "as-Safir" Lebanese newspapers, the Speaker denounced the fact that parts of the minutes of the national dialogue session were leaked to the media.
"The leaks reflect negatively on the dialogue's atmosphere," he feared, adding that he "would discuss the issue with the concerned officials in the hopes that we would succeed in preventing the leaks that hit the privacy of the discussions and the confidentiality of deliberations."
In response to all those who insist on discussing the resistance's arms, Berri asserted that "the resistance is our honor and we aren't embarrassed to discuss the defense strategy to safeguard Lebanon against the "Israeli" dangers."
He further warned of "the latest military drills "Israel" has conducted in the Shebaa Farms, and within occupied Palestine, in anticipation of any future war with Lebanon."
Suleiman Satisfied with Dialogue
For his part, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman expressed satisfaction with the dialogue session held last Monday.
In remarks to "al-Akhbar" daily, Suleiman stressed that he waited for such positive outcome from the first session.
"The mother of all problems that threaten us today is the Syrian crisis. Thus, on the dialogue table we reiterated Lebanon's public dissociation from regional and international conflicts," he confirmed.
The President also revealed that the government is no longer embarrassed to have a neutral position of the Syrian crisis after we decided to remain neutral not only on Syria but also in any similar regional or international case."
"We all agreed in the dialogue table to announce "No for a security area and No for a buffer zone," he unveiled.
According to the President "the national dialogue decisions are to be imposed on all sides even if they didn't participate especially that all sides' representatives and sects are present."
"In the coming sessions, the dialogue's agenda will move to weapon's discussion," he added.
Suleiman further viewed that "Baabda's declarations formed an important cover to the Lebanese Army's role and duties over all the country's territories."
The President also reiterated his confidence in the permanent government.
On the Syrian crisis, the President expressed his fear on the latest developments as he rejected all what is related to the buffer zone or the smuggling of weapons and insurgents.
"I hope that the agree on how to manage their own affairs and that they communicate to achieve a calm democratic transition," he told "al-Akhbar".
UN: Lebanon's stability Major Concern
Meanwhile, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly hailed on Wednesday the resumption of the national dialogue between Lebanese parties.
"What matters now is the Lebanese people's will to safeguard their country and not what the foreign powers want," Plumbly told "as-Safir".
He stressed that the western and Arab countries are seeking to safeguard Lebanon against the repercussions of the Syrian crisis.
"The Lebanese politicians have to reach common grounds regarding the arms spreading across the country," he said.
The UN representative warned of turning Lebanon into an arms smuggling hub to Syria.
Asked about his meeting with the Head of Hizbullah's Foreign Relations Ammar al-Moussawi, Plumby described it as "positive."
He voiced his hope that the situation in Southern Lebanon remain stable.
Gov't's Session Postponed, Electricity to Deteriorate?
On the internal Lebanese subjects, the government held an ordinary session Tuesday. However, its Wednesday's scheduled meeting to discuss the 2012 state budget has been postponed because Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi fell ill.
In remarks to "an-Nahar", Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his satisfaction with the governmental performance.
"The Tuesday's government's session was productive and fruitful and several articles that were on the agenda were adopted in a calm and productive atmosphere," he said.
Among the decisions taken by the government was the appointment of three judges to the Higher Judicial Council.
For its part, "as-Safir" daily warned that the electricity crisis deteriorated silently with an expansion of power rationing.
Source: Lebanese papers, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
