MP Kanaan: The FPM is holding to the Arab initiative as a package deal

Source: NowLebanon, 20-02-2008
MP Ibrahim Kanaan of the Change and Reform bloc said that linking the Ain Alaq bombing of 2006 and the second anniversary of former PM Rafik Hariri's assassination is not accurate.
State prosecutor Said Mirza said in his judicial report on the investigation into the bombing that the terrorist group Fatah al-Islam carried it out as a political message to 'March (Feb.) 14'.
"Establishing political links about crimes committed is not accurate," Kanaan told NOW Lebanon, recalling the same court's tying Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea's suggestion of a federalized state to the bombing of Our Lady of Salvation Church in 1994, in which Geagea was the primary suspect.
"Political analysis does not necessarily reflect the seriousness of the investigations," Kanaan added.
Commenting on Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's statement calling for an open war with "Israel", Kanaan said that Nasrallah also stressed on civil peace and national unity.
"He said there would be an open war depending on "Israel's" intentions," stressed Kanaan.
"General Aoun has always said that if someone is aggressed, no one can prevent him from retaliating," he added.
Kanaan noted that the right to self-defense is linked to aggression. "This aggression was committed against the Lebanese state, not a single faction."
"We are committed to the constitution, the state and to Lebanon as a complete entity. As for the resistance, we are committed to Lebanese conditions for any political and security act," Kanaan said.
He also noted that since 2000, Lebanese governments have recognized Hizbullah's legitimacy as a resistance party.
"Why are they demanding us to deny the resistance this character, while they have recognized its legitimacy in the government's political plan of action?" he asked.
Kanaan accused the pro-government party of political maneuvering concerning the Arab initiative. "The FPM is holding to the Arab initiative as a package deal," he said.
"We are not setting preconditions, but we are trying to strengthen the presidency and constitutional institutions."
Kanaan did not rule out that a solution could be reached with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa's return to Lebanon.