Saniora Rejects Lahoud”s Predicted Risks of Emergency State

Premier Fouad Saniora on Friday rejected a controversial measure by outgoing President Emile Lahoud ordering the army to enforce law and order after claiming that “risks of a state of emergency” prevail over the nation.

A three-article statement signed by Lahoud said: “The risks of a state of emergency prevail over all the territories of the Republic of Lebanon as of Nov. 24.

 

“The army is assigned the task of maintaining security and all military forces would be placed at the army”s service,” the statement added.

 

It said that once a “legitimate government is formed” the army command would coordinate its moves with it.

However, a statement issued by Saniora”s press office said the presidential measure is “not factual and not based on constitutional or legal authorities.”

 

It recalled that, constitutionally, only the government has the authority to declare a state of emergency, subject to revision by parliament in eight days.

 

The Saniora statement said Lahoud wants to allude that the nation is facing serious threats “at a time security prevails because the army maintains the nation”s security and protects the people”s safety.”

The statement concluded by stressing that the government is both “legal and constitutional.”