MP Zahra: Limiting negotiation to MP Michel Aoun ensures the initiative’s failure

 

MP Antoine Zahra of the Lebanese Forces bloc said that the practical translation of Syria’s theoretical approval of the Arab initiative was displayed through the opposition’s obstructing stances on it.

 

“The opposition’s interpretation of the Arab initiative is not acceptable,” he told Voice of Lebanon.

 

Zahra noted that the obstruction was also revealed by the results of the meeting between Speaker Nabih Berri and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.

 

“Berri’s stance on electing Army Commander General Michel Sleiman as president without amending the constitution is an obstruction for Sleiman, who cannot be elected without the amendment of Article 49.”

 

“Restricting the negotiation to MP Michel Aoun means that the Arab initiative will not succeed, especially in the light of his latest stances,” Zahra said.

 

The opposition is still insisting on reaching an agreement on the formation of the government ahead of the election of Sleiman, while the Arab initiative calls for electing Army Commander as president and only then establishing a national unity government.

 

Zahra also called for additional pressure on Syria so it would pressure its allies in Lebanon to facilitate the election of a president and the establishment of a national-unity government.