Security developments and Majority obstructions reveal intention of hindering implementation of Doha Agreement
Source: Tayyar.org, 10-06-2008
The General internal situation:
Amidst the reluctance to implement the security plan approved by the Central Security Council, as Future Movement refused to remove pictures from its areas of influence in Beirut and requested, as a condition, that all pictures, slogans and flags of the Resistance and Hizbullah should be removed from the Southern Suburbs and airport road, the ongoing security clashes are still plaguing Beirut and some regions such as Central Bekaa, particularly Taalabaya and Saadnayel, where a large-scale explosion occurred yesterday night and several types of light, medium and rocket weapons were used. Meanwhile, an emphasis was put on the "rehabilitation" of the infrastructure of Future Movement which collapsed on the 7th of May, and several obstructions and conditions were imposed by the (So-called) 'majority' to hinder the formation of the forthcoming government. This entire situation gave an impression that some parties limited themselves to the outcome of Doha Agreement, namely the election of General Suleiman as President of the Republic.
While all declared positions are insisting on the formation of the first term government the soonest possible and are denying the presence of any non-resolvable obstructions or hurdles, and although many opposition forces stated that they have no problems among themselves, observers find some correlation between the ongoing security tensions and the jurisprudential interpretations given by the pro-governmental coalition about the agreed terms in Doha. In this context, opposition forces keep reminding that an agreement was reached to assign the Ministry of Interior portfolio to a candidate from the President's political camp as per a mutual agreement between the opposition and pro-governmental forces. It was also agreed to distribute the other sovereign portfolios equally to opposition and pro-governmental coalitions, thereby giving one sovereign portfolio to the Change and Reform Block out of the five portfolios assigned thereto.
However, the Majority group is trying to conceal its internal ministerial disputes and its yearning to ministerial positions, especially among its Christian candidates, by accusing General Aoun of putting a spoke in the wheel of the new government. Nevertheless, Aoun reaffirmed that if he will not be treated equally as the other political parties with regard to the sovereign portfolio, and if the Shiite and Sunni confessions do not obtain a sovereign portfolio each, he would rather stay out of the government instead of inflicting an unfair treatment to the Christian majority he represents, compared to the other majorities. In fact, such a solution would reinforce the marginalization and isolation policy practiced against the Christian majority during the tutorship era or since the first government of Saniora; besides, Aoun is only claiming for himself what he is claiming for others as well.
The question which should be raised here is why the Government is not implementing the security plan prepared under the supervision of the Minister of Interior of the current government, Hassan Sabeh, within the Central Security Council, as long as it has received the full and comprehensive approval of opposition and pro-governmental forces. Therefore, it seems obvious that this plan is hindered in view of obstructing the formation of the new government, thus sliding the country into a stalling phase and dispatch of homeland affairs until the coming parliamentary elections which will then be held under the law of Ghazi Kanaan, in spite of internal and international emphasis on the full implementation of Doha Agreement!
Talks about the Christian - Christian reconciliation should not conflict with the formation of a national unity government or prevent its creation or be taken as a pretext for procrastination as long as Doha agreement is clear, conclusive and irrelevant to this matter.
On another hand, France and Great Britain showed their interest in the case of Palestinian weapons in camps, amid warnings against the emergence of another "Nahr el Bared" conflict. This issue was raised by the British Foreign Minister David Miliband during his congratulation visit to President Suleiman. Moreover, the delegation of France and other countries tried to inquire about the situation in Ain Al-Hilweh camp, and the President of France promised to discuss with 'Israel' its withdrawal from (occupied) Shibaa farms since this will facilitate the resolution of Hizbullah weapons according to a national defense strategy, and maybe will coincide with the resolution of the issue of Palestinian weapons.
In the same context and in an indirect reply to US President George Bush who declared that Palestinians will remain in Lebanon, the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy wondered about the usefulness of creating a Palestinian State if it will not be able to embrace the Palestinian people, and undertook that France will oppose the settlement of Palestinians in Lebanon. These French and American statements can be clearly considered as a result of the strong return of France to the Lebanese political scene recently, and as a prelude to a possible conflict of influence between Washington and Paris, in light with the increasing attempts of France to restore its normal relations with Syria to the US great displeasure.
In brief, all expectations and hopes almost converge on the same awaited fact that this week will witness the birth of the new government so that the ongoing procrastination does not throttle Doha Agreement and reduce the international and regional momentum, thereby tarnishing the image of the new presidential term which is still in its early stages. Eventually, everything lies in the intentions!
The General internal situation:
Amidst the reluctance to implement the security plan approved by the Central Security Council, as Future Movement refused to remove pictures from its areas of influence in Beirut and requested, as a condition, that all pictures, slogans and flags of the Resistance and Hizbullah should be removed from the Southern Suburbs and airport road, the ongoing security clashes are still plaguing Beirut and some regions such as Central Bekaa, particularly Taalabaya and Saadnayel, where a large-scale explosion occurred yesterday night and several types of light, medium and rocket weapons were used. Meanwhile, an emphasis was put on the "rehabilitation" of the infrastructure of Future Movement which collapsed on the 7th of May, and several obstructions and conditions were imposed by the (So-called) 'majority' to hinder the formation of the forthcoming government. This entire situation gave an impression that some parties limited themselves to the outcome of Doha Agreement, namely the election of General Suleiman as President of the Republic.
While all declared positions are insisting on the formation of the first term government the soonest possible and are denying the presence of any non-resolvable obstructions or hurdles, and although many opposition forces stated that they have no problems among themselves, observers find some correlation between the ongoing security tensions and the jurisprudential interpretations given by the pro-governmental coalition about the agreed terms in Doha. In this context, opposition forces keep reminding that an agreement was reached to assign the Ministry of Interior portfolio to a candidate from the President's political camp as per a mutual agreement between the opposition and pro-governmental forces. It was also agreed to distribute the other sovereign portfolios equally to opposition and pro-governmental coalitions, thereby giving one sovereign portfolio to the Change and Reform Block out of the five portfolios assigned thereto.
However, the Majority group is trying to conceal its internal ministerial disputes and its yearning to ministerial positions, especially among its Christian candidates, by accusing General Aoun of putting a spoke in the wheel of the new government. Nevertheless, Aoun reaffirmed that if he will not be treated equally as the other political parties with regard to the sovereign portfolio, and if the Shiite and Sunni confessions do not obtain a sovereign portfolio each, he would rather stay out of the government instead of inflicting an unfair treatment to the Christian majority he represents, compared to the other majorities. In fact, such a solution would reinforce the marginalization and isolation policy practiced against the Christian majority during the tutorship era or since the first government of Saniora; besides, Aoun is only claiming for himself what he is claiming for others as well.
The question which should be raised here is why the Government is not implementing the security plan prepared under the supervision of the Minister of Interior of the current government, Hassan Sabeh, within the Central Security Council, as long as it has received the full and comprehensive approval of opposition and pro-governmental forces. Therefore, it seems obvious that this plan is hindered in view of obstructing the formation of the new government, thus sliding the country into a stalling phase and dispatch of homeland affairs until the coming parliamentary elections which will then be held under the law of Ghazi Kanaan, in spite of internal and international emphasis on the full implementation of Doha Agreement!
Talks about the Christian - Christian reconciliation should not conflict with the formation of a national unity government or prevent its creation or be taken as a pretext for procrastination as long as Doha agreement is clear, conclusive and irrelevant to this matter.
On another hand, France and Great Britain showed their interest in the case of Palestinian weapons in camps, amid warnings against the emergence of another "Nahr el Bared" conflict. This issue was raised by the British Foreign Minister David Miliband during his congratulation visit to President Suleiman. Moreover, the delegation of France and other countries tried to inquire about the situation in Ain Al-Hilweh camp, and the President of France promised to discuss with 'Israel' its withdrawal from (occupied) Shibaa farms since this will facilitate the resolution of Hizbullah weapons according to a national defense strategy, and maybe will coincide with the resolution of the issue of Palestinian weapons.
In the same context and in an indirect reply to US President George Bush who declared that Palestinians will remain in Lebanon, the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy wondered about the usefulness of creating a Palestinian State if it will not be able to embrace the Palestinian people, and undertook that France will oppose the settlement of Palestinians in Lebanon. These French and American statements can be clearly considered as a result of the strong return of France to the Lebanese political scene recently, and as a prelude to a possible conflict of influence between Washington and Paris, in light with the increasing attempts of France to restore its normal relations with Syria to the US great displeasure.
In brief, all expectations and hopes almost converge on the same awaited fact that this week will witness the birth of the new government so that the ongoing procrastination does not throttle Doha Agreement and reduce the international and regional momentum, thereby tarnishing the image of the new presidential term which is still in its early stages. Eventually, everything lies in the intentions!
