US Derails Lebanese Consensus

Source: Alalam.ir, 17-12-2007
BEIRUT, Lebanon--Head of Lebanon's National Information Council Ghaleb Ghandil says by meddling in Lebanon's internal affairs and by pitting Lebanese groups against each other, the US plans to prevent any consensus in the country.
Ghandil told Alalam that Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch's recent visit to Beirut was in line with the intention to provoke the pro-government group, which tries to settle Lebanese crisis with the helm of the US policies.
He said Welch's move in declining to visit Michel Aoun, the representative of the opposition group, was much indecent. "It showed the US support of a special group and interferes in Lebanon's affairs," he added.
He then touched on delay in the parliamentary sessions, and said when there is any such a delay, the speaker Nabih Berri tries hard to ensure resumption of talks through consensus and through building political consensus.
US Envoy David Welch told Lebanese leaders in his recent visit to Lebanon to elect a president "now," echoing French President Nicholas Sarkozy's recent warning to Lebanese politicians that Monday is "the last chance" to hold the election.
But despite international pressure to fill the vacancy in the top post, Monday's electoral session, the ninth one appears set to be postponed.
The Lebanese have already accomplished "the most difficult job" by agreeing on a consensus candidate, Welch said, in reference to the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Michel Suleiman. Welch met with Suleiman on Sunday.
On Saturday Welch met separately with Berri, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Defense Minister Elias Murr, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, Lebanese Forces boss Samir Geagea, parliamentary majority leader MP Saad Hariri and Democratic Gathering chief Walid Jumblatt.