Amal chastises Feltman for "disgraceful interference"

he were "the United States highest commissioner in Lebanon."
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group accused Feltman of violating the rules of diplomacy, citing his "disgraceful interference in internal matters and his ... role in [sowing] divisions among [various] Lebanese factions."
According to the statement, an angry Feltman showed up at Berri's office to ask "Why do you try to pressure a particular sect into accepting [former Information Minister] Michel Edde as President?"
Feltman was referring to alleged pressures exerted by Berri to convince Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir to back Edde's candidacy.
"It is quite clear that the speaker has exerted no pressure, especially since Edde is close to Bkirki and his name was included on the patriarch's list for presidency," the statement added.
Various Lebanese groups, backed by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, urged Sfeir to compile a list of candidates for the presidency, but they could not agree on any of the names he provided.
During a satellite news conference with Washington-based Lebanese journalists on Friday, Feltman said that Lebanese MPs should have the freedom to look into amending the Constitution to allow the election of the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Michel Suleiman as president.
Feltman said the army chief is "fully aware" of the United Nations' stance regarding international resolutions and the Special International Tribunal for Lebanon to try suspects in the February 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. He also said that he did not expect Lebanon's new president to disarm Hizbullah "any time soon."
He claimed Washington will support Lebanon's next president, adding that amending the Constitution "is for the welfare of Lebanon."