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Lebanese speaker voices opposition to street demonstrations
BEIRUT: Speaker Nabih Berri has voiced opposition to street demonstrations to topple the government, according to an Al-Jamaa al-Islamiyya official who met with him on Friday, as Lebanese politicians continued to navigate the political crisis gripping the country. Assad Harmoush said that Berri had "refused to go down on the street" in an attempt to force the creation of a national unity government. And thank heavens for that.Berri, head of the Shiite Amal Movement, also met Friday with Egyptian Ambassador Hussein Darrar. Darrar said after the meeting that Berri had "several formulas and many suggestions to get Lebanon out of the political stalemate it is passing through." These will be announced as soon as the IRG courier arrives. Separately, Premier Fouad Siniora met with Spain's ambassador to Lebanon, who said the premier has assured him "that the Shiite must have an effective participation in the Cabinet." That's rich. Who tugged Zappy's leash? Lebanon's five Shiite ministers, representing Hizbullah and Amal, resigned from the Cabinet one week ago, demanding a "real" say in the decision-making process. That's what all the dictators say just before the putsch. Should Hizbullah and its allies decide to hold demonstrations, they will have to let the government know in advance, Acting Interior Minister Ahmed Fatfat said on Friday. In a telephone interview with The Daily Star, Fatfat said the law was clear that "those organizing a demonstration must inform the government's representative at least 72 hours before they take to the streets." "They don't need a license; all they have to do is inform the appropriate official," he said. An email, or even a phone call is fine. "This is needed so that the security forces would be able to make their preparations and accompany such an action." Should we suppose that Minister Fatfat is referring to government security forces? The minister, a member of the anti-Syrian parliamentary coalition, said earlier in a televised interview that "there is an impression among the March 14 Forces that a Syrian-Iranian axis is trying to settle its scores in Lebanon." The secret's out! For his part, Hizbullah Executive Council head Sayyed Hashem Safieddine said on Friday that the government had two choices: "Either surrender to the people's rejection and return to the principles of true partnership, or wait for the decision that will bring a thousand, thousand Safieddine said the government had "underestimated a national In a statement released late Thursday, the March 14 Forces said it was "determined" to prevent any attempts "to foil UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the international tribunal or Paris III [January's international donors' conference] at the expense of foreign interests." In related comments, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Friday that efforts to topple the government could lead to assassination attempts against Cabinet ministers. He did not elaborate no need - there's recent precedent , but said that Syria was determined to stop the formation of the international tribunal. Geagea noted the fact that should three additional ministers somehow be lost, the Cabinet could not achieve a quorum. "There are no three ministers who will resign of course, but someone might think of sacking them, in quotes, by pushing them to a final resignation," he told Reuters in a telephone interview. "I think there might be operations targeting ministers and I take this opportunity to say it publicly and especially to tell the ministers to take all precautions," Geagea said. If Hez-Amahl-Syria-Iran off three ministers in order to deny a cabinet quorum, wouldn't a reasonable person declare the situation beyond the scope of Robert's Rules Of Order? ... but then this is Lebanon. Let us continue ... The Christian leader once more warned that small, pro-Syrian groups could incite violence should demonstrations be held. "Unfortunately there are some small sides, not the big ones, who might go this far because they are still linked to the Syrian regime," he said. "It is very clear that this regime has taken a decision to try to stop the international court even through causing strife in Lebanon." - With Agencies Posted by: mrp 2006-11-18 |
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