|
Siniora invites opposition back to dialogue table
Premier Fouad Siniora on Wednesday advised the opposition bloc trying to depose the government through protests to follow the route of dialogue and help rebuild Lebanon.Siniora said discord was likely to occur in any "healthy and democratic" country. "Nevertheless, conflicts ought to be resolved within institutions such as the Parliament rather than be taken to the streets," he added. "They will fail to provoke us, for our patience has no limits and constitutes the key to our deliverance," Siniora said. The March 14 Forces, the anti-Syrian coalition that dominates both Parliament and the Cabinet, was taking a "wise" stand, "not because we are weak, but because we are sure that our idea of a sovereign and free Lebanon will inevitably prevail," the embattled premier said. Siniora's comments were broadcast live on a number of local television stations. The premier also met with a delegation of supporters from the Northern regions of Minyeh and Dinnieh at his Downtown Beirut office. Siniora said like his opponents, he and his allies could also call on "hundreds of thousands" of people to take to the streets, but the issue should not be a contest in crowd numbers. "The contest ought to be for the reconstruction of the country," he added. "We want to build Lebanon, not to bring back images reminiscent of the [1975-90] Civil War in Beirut's neighborhoods," Siniora said, referring to violent clashes that have shaken Beirut this week and which resulted in one death and left at least 15 others wounded. Posted by: Fred 2006-12-07 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=174201 |