Fneish: Dialogue would discuss ways to preserve Lebanon and liberate occupied territories

Source: Nowlebanon.com, 26-9-2008
Minister of Labor Mohammad Fneish said that the reconciliation efforts currently underway were reducing tensions and helping improve the country's political atmosphere in the run-up to the next session of the national dialogue. Fneish said he thought the reconciliations would also create a positive environment for the 2009 parliamentary elections.
During an Iftar on Thursday night in Jnah, Fneish said that partnership and political balance, rather than authoritarianism and monopoly, had to govern Lebanon.
Fneish said that American pressure would not force Hizbullah to disarm, adding that the Americans, through UN Security Council Resolution 1559 and other methods were trying to sow dissent and divide the people of Lebanon.
Fneish said that the Taif Agreement defined Lebanon's identity and properly framed "Israel" as the enemy. He also said that national dialogue should not focus on the Resistance's weapons, because "Israel" continued to threaten Lebanon and occupy territory. Instead, Fneish said the dialogue would discuss ways to preserve Lebanon, confront the enemy, liberate occupied territories and seize the opportunity presented by the Resistance's military prowess, which, Fneish said, represented the country's strength.