Prime Minister Fouad Siniora refused to respond to Speaker Nabih Berri’s allegations that Siniora was impeding the ministerial statement’s formation.
He said, “I can never be funnier than Speaker Berri.”
He added that although the meetings of the ministerial statement drafting committee have been numerous, the statement would discuss major issues and define the directions of the next stage.
“We should learn from the current situation in order to surpass our differences in the future,” he commented. “Every member of the committee worked to achieve the statement in a civilized way and total openness and we are proud of that.”
He hoped that the cabinet and its members would cooperate with the parliament to solve all issues still subject to dispute.
Siniora also said that the Lebanese people realized the importance of the state, which ensures security, safety and liberation.
“We would never deny the Resistance’s sacrifices and achievements over the past few years to liberate the territories,” he said. “But, we cannot allow some parties to monopolize the resistance and accuse others of refusing to resist.”
He also said that all issues would be solved over the roundtable dialogue under the auspices of Lebanese President Michel Sleiman.
Siniora expected that the government will hold a meeting on Monday to approve the statement before transferring it to the parliament.