Heated Debate on cabinet statement begins

Local Editor, 8-12-2009

Parliament started today, Tuesday, a heated debate on the Cabinet's policy statement. The three-day talks could be prolonged since more than 60 lawmakers will get a chance to speak out during the three-day vote of confidence process.

Intense discussions are expected to take place regarding article six of the ministerial statement, which deals with the right of the resistance to bear arms.

Prior to reading the Cabinet policy statement, Prime Minister Saad Hariri said that "Cabinet faces a test of people's trust."

He added "success cannot only be achieved through a coalition government, but through a government of principles and goals."

Hariri pointed out that the cabinet stresses its commitment to the constitution and the implementation of the Taef accord and preventing attempts to tamper with civil peace
On his part, Speaker Nabih Berri said he was committed to the offer which calls for setting up a committee to abolish political sectarianism.

In remarks published today by the daily As-Safir, Berri emphasized that the resistance issue was not a subject for bargaining.

"I will not back down on this demand because the issue is not only linked to the future of Lebanon but to its resurrection," Berri added.

Besides, Berri told Al-Manar that the sessions would take the form of a marathon, stressing that discussions would be open.

Berri didn't find anything strange in the large number of lawmakers who asked for the floor, saying that it was the MPs right to address their colleagues, and therefore the people who elected them as their representatives.

Lebanon's Speaker told Al-Manar on the eve of the opening session, that he won't interfere to limit the number of "speaking" MPs, pointing out that he has decided to let the lawmakers do whatever they want and think is appropriate.

"Having a national unity government doesn't mean at all that we should prevent people from expressing themselves," Berri wrapped out.

He rejected to link the issue of abolishing political sectarianism to create a kind of "balance" with resistance weapons, stressing the resistance is a non-negotiable issue.
The resistance, he added, is a "strategic choice that is not subject to bargaining."
Meanwhile, Hizbullah MP Nawwaf Moussawi said the Taef Accord underlined Lebanon's "enmity" toward "Israel" and established the spirit of resistance in the country's educational system.

In a related development, the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun said that a lot of steps should be taken before abolishing confessional in politics, giving the example of Turkey.

Aoun added "Sectarianism doesn't produce corruption. But corruption encourages sectarianism," stressing that Lebanon will not be shaken on the security level because it has immunity.

Lebanon awaits a new challenge today, since the main subject of discussion is the the issue of the resistance amid attempts by some MPs to dissuade their colleagues to withhold the vote of confidence from the government.