Murr: I don”t accept Hizbullah to continue holding weapons
Defense Minister Elias Murr has said that the cabinet”s policy statement was a short-term work plan that would not bring a solution to the country”s problems.
The ministerial statement "is a working plan for (a period) of 10 months and not a comprehensive solution to a controversial issue in the country," Murr told LBCI”s Kalam al-Nass talk show Thursday night.
He stressed the need to avoid disagreement on the policy statement, saying the "solution comes through dialogue" which President Michel Suleiman is to sponsor soon.
Murr”s comments came amid disagreement between members of a ministerial committee tasked with drafting the policy statement over controversial topics, including the issue of Hizbullah weapons.
"I have information that Hizbullah for the first time wants to seriously discuss the defense strategy with other parties," Murr said.
He said the Lebanese army should be the only side that possesses weapons.
"As a minister in the Lebanese cabinet I don”t accept Hizbullah to continue holding weapons," Murr said.
He also stressed that he is not affiliated with either March 8 or March 14 forces.