Raad: Reconciliations mark the resumption of the direct contacts, no need to shift alliances or positions
Source: nowlebanon.com, 28-10-2008
On October 28, the independent Al-Anbaa daily carried the following interview with Muhammad Raad, the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc in the Lebanese Parliament:
Q: Do you expect to see a heated electoral battle between the March 8 and March 14 forces, or will the reconciliations produce electoral alliances, especially between you and the Future Movement?
Raad: The current reconciliations mark the resumption of the direct contacts that had been severed for a long time between the opposition and the loyalists. After such a divergence, we had to restore direct communication to defuse the tensions on the street and listen to each other in a calm way in order to discuss the different viewpoints. No one is required to relinquish his political position or convictions. Alliances are usually built on the basis of common convictions and interests. Once these common convictions are secured, the talk about alliances becomes a natural thing. Right now, there is no need to shift alliances or positions, considering that the direct talks are still at the beginning.
Q: What about the reconciliation steps in the direction of the Progressive Socialist Party?
Raad: Since direct contacts with the PSP have started on the field and political levels and have entailed positive steps on the ground, nothing prevents us from raising the level of these contacts and enhancing the honest talks between the leaders of both sides, in order to secure the appropriate political and practical circumstances for a meeting between Mr. Walid Jumblatt and Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
Q: It was said that Deputy Walid Jumblatt preferred to meet directly with Sayyed Nasrallah instead of with a delegation from Hizbullah, which you would head. Is this true?
Raad: The meeting between Sayyed Nasrallah and Deputy Jumblatt has not been suggested yet, neither by us nor by the PSP. This is mere media talk.
Q: Does this mean that a meeting between a delegation from Hizbullah headed by you and Jumblatt will take place?
Raad: The idea of this meeting was agreed upon, but it was postponed due to reasons which are known by the host, Emir Talal Arslan. Once he informs us of the willingness of the other side to hold this meeting and sets the date, we will have no objections...
Q: How does Hizbullah assess the ongoing reconciliation on the Lebanese arena - some of which seem to be subjected to difficult tests - while you are being accused of hindering them?
Raad: If the goal behind the reconciliations is to resume direct contacts, the one who initiates these reconciliations should set up the right climate for direct contacts. Every reconciliation between two sides has its own specificities and its own context. Some are easy, and some are difficult and complicated. Therefore, everyone should play a role in facilitating the required reconciliations to enhance stability at this point in time... There are some reconciliations in which we do not wish to be involved, but we encourage them and urge the concerned parties to facilitate them...
Q: Do you not think that the status of the government is shaken whenever the prerogatives of the deputy prime minister are raised?
Raad: After we came to know the position of Deputy Prime Minister Issam Abu Jamra, we found out that all he wanted was to place the issue of the ministerial council's internal statute on the government's agenda. There must be a serious and calm dialogue between the prime minister and his deputy inside the cabinet and regarding all issues... When things are addressed in a logical way, the necessary solutions can be reached...
Q: Regarding the launching of diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria, what do you think about the factors which made the Syrian side announce this move?
Raad: The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was not made upon a Lebanese request but due to the joint conviction of the two countries of the necessity to ease the Lebanese-Syrian climate and resume normal brotherly relations between Lebanon and Syria. Even though we believe that the existing relations between Lebanon and Syria go beyond diplomatic relations and the exchange of embassies, we hope that this important step will create a new framework that will secure the interests of the Lebanese and Syrian people and those of the two countries. It is neither in Lebanon's interest to be hostile toward Syria, nor is it in Syria's interest to see Lebanon uphold its hostile perception...
Q: What does the visit of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to Egypt mean to you?
Raad: No comment.
Q: Deputy Jumblatt also visited Egypt and issued positive positions toward Syria and Iran. How do you perceive Jumblatt's positions at this stage?
Raad: There is a new turn being conveyed by the statements and positions of Deputy Jumblatt... For our part, we welcome and encourage this change and believe that his visit to Egypt is not new, considering that we have learned that the Egyptians will be receiving a number of Lebanese officials from different sides...
On October 28, the independent Al-Anbaa daily carried the following interview with Muhammad Raad, the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc in the Lebanese Parliament:
Q: Do you expect to see a heated electoral battle between the March 8 and March 14 forces, or will the reconciliations produce electoral alliances, especially between you and the Future Movement?
Raad: The current reconciliations mark the resumption of the direct contacts that had been severed for a long time between the opposition and the loyalists. After such a divergence, we had to restore direct communication to defuse the tensions on the street and listen to each other in a calm way in order to discuss the different viewpoints. No one is required to relinquish his political position or convictions. Alliances are usually built on the basis of common convictions and interests. Once these common convictions are secured, the talk about alliances becomes a natural thing. Right now, there is no need to shift alliances or positions, considering that the direct talks are still at the beginning.
Q: What about the reconciliation steps in the direction of the Progressive Socialist Party?
Raad: Since direct contacts with the PSP have started on the field and political levels and have entailed positive steps on the ground, nothing prevents us from raising the level of these contacts and enhancing the honest talks between the leaders of both sides, in order to secure the appropriate political and practical circumstances for a meeting between Mr. Walid Jumblatt and Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
Q: It was said that Deputy Walid Jumblatt preferred to meet directly with Sayyed Nasrallah instead of with a delegation from Hizbullah, which you would head. Is this true?
Raad: The meeting between Sayyed Nasrallah and Deputy Jumblatt has not been suggested yet, neither by us nor by the PSP. This is mere media talk.
Q: Does this mean that a meeting between a delegation from Hizbullah headed by you and Jumblatt will take place?
Raad: The idea of this meeting was agreed upon, but it was postponed due to reasons which are known by the host, Emir Talal Arslan. Once he informs us of the willingness of the other side to hold this meeting and sets the date, we will have no objections...
Q: How does Hizbullah assess the ongoing reconciliation on the Lebanese arena - some of which seem to be subjected to difficult tests - while you are being accused of hindering them?
Raad: If the goal behind the reconciliations is to resume direct contacts, the one who initiates these reconciliations should set up the right climate for direct contacts. Every reconciliation between two sides has its own specificities and its own context. Some are easy, and some are difficult and complicated. Therefore, everyone should play a role in facilitating the required reconciliations to enhance stability at this point in time... There are some reconciliations in which we do not wish to be involved, but we encourage them and urge the concerned parties to facilitate them...
Q: Do you not think that the status of the government is shaken whenever the prerogatives of the deputy prime minister are raised?
Raad: After we came to know the position of Deputy Prime Minister Issam Abu Jamra, we found out that all he wanted was to place the issue of the ministerial council's internal statute on the government's agenda. There must be a serious and calm dialogue between the prime minister and his deputy inside the cabinet and regarding all issues... When things are addressed in a logical way, the necessary solutions can be reached...
Q: Regarding the launching of diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria, what do you think about the factors which made the Syrian side announce this move?
Raad: The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was not made upon a Lebanese request but due to the joint conviction of the two countries of the necessity to ease the Lebanese-Syrian climate and resume normal brotherly relations between Lebanon and Syria. Even though we believe that the existing relations between Lebanon and Syria go beyond diplomatic relations and the exchange of embassies, we hope that this important step will create a new framework that will secure the interests of the Lebanese and Syrian people and those of the two countries. It is neither in Lebanon's interest to be hostile toward Syria, nor is it in Syria's interest to see Lebanon uphold its hostile perception...
Q: What does the visit of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to Egypt mean to you?
Raad: No comment.
Q: Deputy Jumblatt also visited Egypt and issued positive positions toward Syria and Iran. How do you perceive Jumblatt's positions at this stage?
Raad: There is a new turn being conveyed by the statements and positions of Deputy Jumblatt... For our part, we welcome and encourage this change and believe that his visit to Egypt is not new, considering that we have learned that the Egyptians will be receiving a number of Lebanese officials from different sides...
