Hamadeh Predicts International Pressure on Syria at “Beirut Spring Level”

Minister of Communications Marwan Hamadeh predicted Friday international pressure on Damascus at “Beirut Spring level” that led to the withdrawal of its army from Lebanon in 2005, ending three generations of dominance.

 

Such pressures, he said, would be exerted on Damascus if it continued to block Lebanon”s presidential election that is scheduled for Monday.

 

He also said France is determined on exposing efforts exerted to block presidential elections in Lebanon.

Hamadeh, in an interview with Voice of Lebanon radio from Paris, said he has met French officials, including Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.

 

“We felt that the French are determined on exerting more pressure on the external authority that is considered to be blocking the presidential election.

We also felt a determination by French officials on putting an end to silence, and probably expose all the blocking operation,” Hamadeh added.

 

He said a parliamentary session set for Monday is sort of a “cross road, by which if it became evident that the intended blocking is continuing … there will be a declared stand regarding this approach, probably a French stand and an International one too.”

 

Hamadeh said that forces blocking the presidential election “will be surprised by international reaction that could be at the level of the spring of the year 2005, when the Syrian army was driven out of Lebanon.”

 

He concluded by stressing that Lebanon is facing a “scheme to prevent the election of a president. The source of this scheme is known. It is the Syrian capital and the Syrian regime.”

 

“They will all be surprised in the coming few hours and days by the response to this scheme of blocking the presidential election,” Hamadeh vowed.