Qassem: We are with Suleiman in steps undertaken in Lebanon’s interest we are not for the Arab initiative

His Eminence expressed that "the overall picture in Lebanon today is that it stands by Gaza, loyalists or opposition, at least this is what we felt from the stated positions."
Sheikh Qassem declared that, "President Suleiman's participation in the Doha summit is itself a good step consistent with presenting a form of resilience." He said: "The general position taken by President Suleiman in Doha summit is positive, but as far as the Arab initiative is concerned, we do not support the continuation down that course; this is the view of Hizbullah."

In response to a question, he said: "When the idea of the Doha summit was introduced, there was a discussion in the country regarding the pros and cons in the President's participation. Prior to any debate on the subject President Suleiman had declared that he will participate.
Then pressures mounted from all directions against his participation in line with some Arab states that wanted to foil the Doha summit. Faced with this reality, we felt the duty to give advice to the President.

Hence Haj Hussein Khalil, representing Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and MP Ali Hassan Khalil, representing Speaker Nabih Berri, went on the basis that such a meeting was for consultation and to give the advice known to us of the need to participate in the summit. Should it turn to an official summit through the required quorum, then the president will be representing Lebanon in a ‘formal summit', and if the required quorum is not achieved and the summit becomes a consultative one, then the president also represents Lebanon there, especially since Lebanon is closely concerned with what happens in Gaza, for anything taking place there will reflect on us here.
This is what we said, so we have not threatened but gave advice and thank God the President went, his attendance was good."