US: Syria “directly responsible” for Lebanese deadlock
The US reiterated Friday that Syria was directly responsible for the 14-month-old political deadlock in Lebanon. “I would describe the situation as one of continuing blockage … We regard Syria as directly responsible for this situation,” said David Satterfield, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice”s representative for Iraq.
“The role Syria has to play is very simple: to allow the Lebanese to proceed with free elections. It”s not a complicated proposition,” he added.
US President George W. Bush earlier criticized “Syria and Iran”s efforts to undermine Lebanon”s democracy.
“Syria, Iran and their allies must end their efforts to undermine Lebanon”s legitimate government and to
interfere in its political process,” he said late Thursday.
Bush reiterated Washington”s support for the international tribunal to try suspects in the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
“Since the assassination of Prime Minister Hariri, many other Lebanese patriots have been murdered by those who seek to use violence and intimidation to derail progress toward a free, independent, and prosperous Lebanon,” he said.
“It is vital that the perpetrators of these attacks be brought to justice, and I therefore call upon the international community to redouble its support for the tribunal,” he added.
The US on Thursday said it would double its financial contribution to the Hariri tribunal, increasing it from $7 million to $14 million.
Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said France would stand side by side with Lebanon in its fight for unity, stability, sovereignty and independence.
“In this particularly difficult period, I reaffirm France”s support for Lebanon”s legitimate authorities, and in particular its government and army in their difficult mission to maintain the country”s stability,” he said.
“We continue to call for the immediate election of a consensus president, in accordance with the Arab plan for resolving the crisis unanimously adopted by all the Arab states.”
“I invite all the parties, in and outside Lebanon, to assume their responsibility and to do everything possible to end the dangerous vacuum at the head of the Lebanese state,” he added.
The Arab three-point plan, adopted in Cairo last month, calls for electing Lebanese Army commander General Michel Suleiman as president, the formation of a national unity government, and the drafting of a new electoral law for the 2009 parliamentary elections.
Lebanon”s rival camps have agreed on electing Suleiman, but are still at odds over the shape of the next government.
The opposition has repeatedly said it would only elect Suleiman as part of a package deal that includes agreements on the shape of government, identity of the next prime minister and the next army commander among other critical issues.
Parliamentary majority leader Saad HaririSaad-Hariri-Profile Sep-07 on Friday thanked all the people who participated in the February 14 rally commemorating his late father. “You revived the spirit of the March 14 revolution and proved that the Lebanese people are capable of protecting their democratic system,” Hariri said, addressing March 14 supporters.
Hariri went on to praise his allies in the March 14 camp, as well as the army and security forces for their “efforts in preserving the country”s stability.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Forces (LF) boss Samir Geagea said the March 14 Forces would sit together to decide on an alternative way to elect a new president if the ongoing Arab initiative fails to put and end to Lebanon”s crisis.
“We will do all that is possible to facilitate the success of the Arab plan, but we will be ready to seek another option if things don”t work out well,” he said.
Geagea described Thursday”s rally as historic, and thanked all the people who took part in the event despite bad weather conditions. “Your commitment and love to your country encourage us to continue our national struggle,” he said.
Speaking after meeting US Charge d”Affaires in Lebanon Michel Sison, the LF leader reacted to Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah”s Thursday comments during the funeral of Imad Mughniyeh, a Hizbullah senior security official who was assassinated in Damascus late Tuesday.
“It is only the Lebanese government”s right to declare war or not. It is not up to any party in Lebanon to drag the entire country to war,” he said, in a clear reference to Nasrallah”s declaration of “open war” against Israel.
Hizbullah MP Hussein Hajj Hassan said Friday all attempts aimed at undermining the opposition and resistance are destined to fail. “Lebanon will remain the home of the resistance and will never surrender to US tutelage,” he added.
Meanwhile, anti-Syrian Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh criticized “Hizbullah”s control over war and peace decisions in the country.”
“Our main difference with Hizbullah is that it accepts turning Lebanon into the only Arab arena for conflict with Israel,” he said. “What about the other Arab countries? What about Syria?” he asked.
Regarding Lebanon”s presidential crisis, Hamadeh said the parliamentary majority will continue to push forward the election of General Michel Suleiman as president.
Picture: Picture: (AFP/File/Tim Sloan)