Khalil: US Steers Turmoil in Lebanon

Source: Alalam.ir, 27-12-2007
A Hizbullah official has said the US is prolonging the deadlock in electing a consensus president in Lebanon by stirring rift in political spectrum. Speaking to Alalam, Hizbullah Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs Hajj Hassan Kahlil said the opposition had stuck to the policy of cooperation, but the ruling majority party turned its back on the opposition and opted for US diktats in order to cling to power.
The Hizbullah politician said the US interference blatantly violates the Taif Accord that ended Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war. He added, the US had recommended the majority party to sidestep the parliament speaker Nabih Berri and General Michele Aoun in order to isolate the opposition.
The majority is trying to bring about the US-devised Moderate Arabs Plan in Lebanon, Khalil said. He also dismissed accusations leveled against Syria which claim it is fueling the crisis in the country, saying, "Syria has always backed compromise in Lebanon, while the US has dampened any hopes of reconciliation between rival parties."
Kahlil said the US was critical of a French plan which could pave the way for consensus between the Western-backed majority and the opposition and fill the presidency post which has been vacant since former president Emile Lahoud walked out of office at the end of his term.
He said the recent trip by US Assistant Secretary of State David Welch to the country was aimed to obstruct any agreement and also to deal a blow to the French initiative which calls for election of a consensus president.