Activity in Lebanon parliament exposes real obstructer

Source: Al-Manar, 30-04-2008
Wednesday was not an ordinary day at the Parliament.
After months of accusations to Speaker Nabih Berri of closing Parliament doors and obstructing its activity, the Human Rights Parliamentary Committee, headed by Development and Liberation parliamentary bloc member MP Michel Mussa, held a meeting, opening the way for the complete reactivation of parliamentary committees; a call made by Berri a few days ago.
However, a simple tour within the walls of the Parliament building showed that the biggest absentees were pro-ruling bloc MPs. Indeed, the bloc that constantly accuses Berri of closing the doors of the Parliament and preventing the MPs from assuming their responsibilities, refused to take part in the legislative workshops. They gave as justification the security situation and their willingness to protest against the absence of ministers from unconstitutional Cabinet meetings headed by Fouad Saniora.
In an interview with Al-Manar, member of Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Nawwar Sahili rejected such claims. He underlined that even before MPs from the "other bloc" started boycotting Parliament, the committees were convening, adding that neither ministers from the unconstitutional government nor their representatives did show up.
Member of Liberation and Development parliamentary bloc MP Ghazi Zeaiter went beyond his colleague statement to affirm that the Parliament was actually only closed before "this US-backed unconstitutional government."
For his part, member of Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Nabil Nicolas told Al-Manar that the Parliament activities take place through the committees and not in the general hall, holding Saniora's government alongside the ruling bloc responsible of the obstruction.
Al-Manar correspondent at the Parliament sought to speak to a loyalty MP, but none of them was present there and their offices were closed. In contrast, opposition MPs, who are always accused of obstructing institutions, were available in their offices.
Outside the parliament building, an opposition sit-in continues to be held in protest against the policies of Saniora's government for the second consecutive year. Saniora and his bloc, who have lend their deaf ears to the demands of the protesters, accuse the opposition of harming tourism in Lebanon. However, a tour in downtown Beirut shows that the area is still full of life, as the sit-in is held in a parking lot. However, when ruling bloc figures like Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea predicts new assassinations in Lebanon or when US Undersecretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch speak of a hot summer in Lebanon, Saniora and his bloc become unavailable to express their very deep concern for tourism this summer.
The outstanding question remains: who's obstructing what in Lebanon?