Opposition ready for democratic face-off ruling team ignoring rules of participation
Source: Agencies, 01-04-2008
MP Nabil Nicolas of the Change and Reform bloc described the presidency as "decorum after the Taif Agreement," adding that only a president with parliamentary and popular support could fulfill a president's duties.
The pro-(US backed) government forces were passing through a critical time and would soon collapse, Nicolas continued, and the "Biel memorandum" had no effect on the country's rule.
In an interview on Al-Manar, Nicolas said the Lebanese crisis could only be solved if the pro-(US backed) government alliance accepted the opposition's request for participation. The opposition was ready for a democratic face-off away from the streets, he said, "for every face-off, to the majority, means violence."
"There is a conspiracy being woven against the Palestinians through their resettlement and denying them the right to return," Nicolas stated. "Any demographic imbalance leads to escalations in Lebanon, and this will end the Palestinians and the issue of naturalization. This is a hot topic today."
Nicolas said Saudi Arabia, which conceded low-level representation to the Arab Summit as a message to Syria about its role in the Lebanese political crisis, should specify how the opposition obstructed the Arab initiative. "Is the reason for Saudi Arabia's attack on the opposition the fact that General Michel Aoun is negotiating on its behalf?"
Nicolas said the opposition's divide with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butrous Sfeir was political and not spiritual. "The Patriarch is an uncontested spiritual leader," he noted.
Meanwhile, MP Ali Hassan Khalil of the Liberation and Development bloc confirmed Speaker Nabih Berri's commitment to the creation of "a real opportunity to implement the Arab initiative after the Damascus Declaration." Khalil added that Berri had not yet begun to convene meetings under his call for dialogue.
MP Khalil issued in a statement saying all attacks on parliament and on the role of the president had exhausted their goals after public opinion became disillusioned, adding that the problem was the existing rules of participation and the decision to ignore the foundations of the Lebanese constitution after repeated calls by Speaker Berri for the election of a president.
Khalil said the quickest way to reach a settlement was through commitment to the items of the Arab initiative, from the election of a president to the formation of a national-unity government and a new electoral law. The MP urged the ruling team to "determine their final position against this law after the opposition took a clear stance in this regard."
Khalil noted that Speaker Nabih Berri's plan would be revealed by April 22 as part of an ongoing attempt to reach a settlement in the Lebanese crisis.
On the other hand, MP Ali Khreis said that Speaker Nabih Berri will soon start an Arab, regional and international tour aimed at pushing for a solution to the political crisis in Lebanon.
"Failing to find a solution will drive Lebanon into the unknown," Khreis told AFP.
"On the Arab level, Berri will make an overture to Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On the regional level, it will be toward Iran, and on the international level, probably toward France and other states," he added.
Khreis noted that once his tour is over, Berri will call for a dialogue session to discuss the formation of a national-unity government and the adoption of a new electoral law.
"The matter of the consensus presidential candidate has been agreed upon, and it does not need any further discussion," Khreis said.
He also noted that Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa will probably visit Lebanon before the presidential-election session. "If Moussa's efforts fail to achieve a solution, Berri will begin his efforts, which are not separate from the Arab initiative," he added.
MP Nabil Nicolas of the Change and Reform bloc described the presidency as "decorum after the Taif Agreement," adding that only a president with parliamentary and popular support could fulfill a president's duties.
The pro-(US backed) government forces were passing through a critical time and would soon collapse, Nicolas continued, and the "Biel memorandum" had no effect on the country's rule.
In an interview on Al-Manar, Nicolas said the Lebanese crisis could only be solved if the pro-(US backed) government alliance accepted the opposition's request for participation. The opposition was ready for a democratic face-off away from the streets, he said, "for every face-off, to the majority, means violence."
"There is a conspiracy being woven against the Palestinians through their resettlement and denying them the right to return," Nicolas stated. "Any demographic imbalance leads to escalations in Lebanon, and this will end the Palestinians and the issue of naturalization. This is a hot topic today."
Nicolas said Saudi Arabia, which conceded low-level representation to the Arab Summit as a message to Syria about its role in the Lebanese political crisis, should specify how the opposition obstructed the Arab initiative. "Is the reason for Saudi Arabia's attack on the opposition the fact that General Michel Aoun is negotiating on its behalf?"
Nicolas said the opposition's divide with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butrous Sfeir was political and not spiritual. "The Patriarch is an uncontested spiritual leader," he noted.
Meanwhile, MP Ali Hassan Khalil of the Liberation and Development bloc confirmed Speaker Nabih Berri's commitment to the creation of "a real opportunity to implement the Arab initiative after the Damascus Declaration." Khalil added that Berri had not yet begun to convene meetings under his call for dialogue.
MP Khalil issued in a statement saying all attacks on parliament and on the role of the president had exhausted their goals after public opinion became disillusioned, adding that the problem was the existing rules of participation and the decision to ignore the foundations of the Lebanese constitution after repeated calls by Speaker Berri for the election of a president.
Khalil said the quickest way to reach a settlement was through commitment to the items of the Arab initiative, from the election of a president to the formation of a national-unity government and a new electoral law. The MP urged the ruling team to "determine their final position against this law after the opposition took a clear stance in this regard."
Khalil noted that Speaker Nabih Berri's plan would be revealed by April 22 as part of an ongoing attempt to reach a settlement in the Lebanese crisis.
On the other hand, MP Ali Khreis said that Speaker Nabih Berri will soon start an Arab, regional and international tour aimed at pushing for a solution to the political crisis in Lebanon.
"Failing to find a solution will drive Lebanon into the unknown," Khreis told AFP.
"On the Arab level, Berri will make an overture to Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On the regional level, it will be toward Iran, and on the international level, probably toward France and other states," he added.
Khreis noted that once his tour is over, Berri will call for a dialogue session to discuss the formation of a national-unity government and the adoption of a new electoral law.
"The matter of the consensus presidential candidate has been agreed upon, and it does not need any further discussion," Khreis said.
He also noted that Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa will probably visit Lebanon before the presidential-election session. "If Moussa's efforts fail to achieve a solution, Berri will begin his efforts, which are not separate from the Arab initiative," he added.
