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Lahoud: US, France 'are acting the same way Syria used to'
EFLPresident Emile Lahoud called Wednesday for the speedy formation of a national unity government to reduce tensions - and for foreign powers to stop interfering in Lebanon. Emile, are you saying all foreign powers? Lahoud denounced France and the United States, accusing them of aggravating the crisis and of "acting the same way that Syria used to act in Lebanon." I guess not. "It is one of the factors ... and prevents dialogue among the Lebanese," he added. Nothing on this green planet can prevent dialogue among the Lebanese. "We need a government of national unity which represents all parties as soon as possible or else there will be demonstrations on the streets that we are against," the president said in an interview with AFP. And who would be doin' the demonstrating? Where's the "unity" in that? Lahoud, who has been snubbed by visiting Western officials, reiterated Wednesday he was determined to stay in power "until the last moment." "until the last moment." An Allende moment? A Nixon moment? A Charles Foster Kane moment? How 'bout a Nicholae Ceausescu moment? Lahoud, who boycotted Monday's Cabinet session, repeated his claim that "the current government has lost its legitimacy" after the resignation of all five Shiite representatives and one of Lahoud's ministers. "When it comes to the country's fateful decisions, all parties should participate," he said. 10-4, that's an invitation to an "I'll see you guys at the OK Corral" moment Hizbullah - whose two ministers resigned Saturday - and its allies have called for an expanded Cabinet that would secure them veto power. Threats of street protests have prompted the ruling majority to warn of counter-demonstrations. The anti-Syrian ruling majority has rejected the demand for a unity government before achieving a pledge for the ouster of Lahoud, whose term was extended by three years by a Syrian-imposed constitutional amendment in September 2004. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said in an interview with CNN broadcast on Wednesday that his government would not be toppled and that he would not step down as long as he enjoyed the confidence of Parliament. Asked if he believed Syria was involved in the resignations, he refused to make any accusations, but said he wished Syrian officials would translate their positive statements on Lebanon "honestly on the ground." I think that's a request to read between the lines. This line... Syria's ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar Jaafari, told CNN on Wednesday that Damascus does not interfere in Lebanon's affairs and that the resignation of the ministers was not a Syrian issue. ... and this line. Conclusion? Siniora highlighted his government's role in ending the July-August war with Israel through his seven-point peace plan and the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which halted the fighting. Lebanese leaders broke off national roundtable talks Saturday on forming a unity government, after months of political stalemate because of disputes between the pro- and anti-Syrian camps in Parliament. Speaker Nabih Berri, the sponsor of the talks, said in remarks broadcast Wednesday that any Cabinet sessions were unconstitutional after the resignation of the Shiite ministers. Speaker Berri is a charter member of the "Living Constitution" movement. Berri, who heads the Amal Movement, had three ministers in Cabinet. He told Dubai-based Al-Arabiyya television any Cabinet session held without Shiite ministers violated a national pact designed to guarantee representation for all of Lebanon's religious communities. Berri wrapped up a four-day visit to Iran on Tuesday. It was not clear where he headed from Tehran, with conflicting reports suggesting he went to Kuwait and/or Britain. Or Switzerland Without Shiites from Hizbullah and Amal, the Cabinet is stacked with anti-Syrian allies of MP Saad Hariri, who heads the parliamentary majority. The majority accuses the ministers of resigning to block the formation of a tribunal to try those accused of assassinating Hariri's father, late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, in February 2005. A UN commission investigating the Hariri killing has implicated senior Lebanese and Syrian security officials. The Central News Agency quoted a senior political source Wednesday as saying there are no indications the crisis will be solved in the near future. "The two sides have become more adamant in their demands," the source said. - Agencies Kinda has the flavor of that outdoor cantina scene in the "Wild Bunch" Posted by: mrp 2006-11-16 |
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