Fneish calls for speeches that ensure civilized electoral competition

15-02-2009

Labor Minister Mohammad Fneish said that, in the end, the Lebanese form one society. "Even when our opinions are divergent, this neither means that we [should] become enemies and adversaries nor should we boycott each other," he noted.

During a political assembly in the southern village of Majdel Zoun on Sunday, Fneish said that the upcoming parliamentary elections were crucial because they would decide the orientation, position and identity of the "resistant" Lebanon. Meanwhile, he said that (US backed) March 14 wanted to take Lebanon back to the experiences based on the premise that "our power is in our weakness and our power is in our relations."

Fneish called on the political forces in Lebanon to put their words into action and to adopt speeches that would ensure a civilized electoral competition through presenting their visions, positions and suggestions for resolving the nation's problems.

Fneish said that all the Lebanese wanted to carry out the elections in a calm atmosphere away from pressures and strife, and the rhetoric of dispute and division should be avoided.
Fneish said that the opposition was strong, united and in harmony, and that it had popular representation in all regions and sects.

Even if the opposition wins majority in the upcoming parliamentary elections, he said, it would hold on to partnership and never accept the practicing of its power by eliminating another, due to its awareness that Lebanon could only be ruled by consensus and balance.