Preservation of freedom and acceptance of all opinions
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora on Tuesday expressed his belief in the need to adhere to the Taif Agreement and its approach to co-existence and civil peace in Lebanon. Such an approach was the best means to restore respect for the state, he added.
“Respect is our approach, which was reflected today in our participation in the national dialogue at the presidential palace,” Siniora said at an Iftar hosted by an orphanage, hours after Tuesday’s dialogue session.
Siniora conveyed his admiration and respect for the people of Tripoli and said he regretted that Lebanon should be “turned into an arena of conflict and the settling of external accounts … at the expense of the peace of the nation and its citizens.”
The PM underlined the need to uphold the state and foster civil peace by extending exclusive state authority over all Lebanese territories and relying on the national army and security forces to protect national and citizens’ security.
Siniora also noted the importance of “free and responsible dialogue” and the “revival of the political values of freedom, participation in public life and the acceptance of others’ opinions,” in addition to the need to employ non-violence in any situation in Lebanon.
“I am convinced that dialogue and reconciliation … in addressing our differences and discrepancies in handling things should remain prevalent,” he said.
“This approach can overcome all divisions and avoid … shocks originating abroad, achieve security and political stability, and thus prevent foreign interventions and intrusions of any kind,” he concluded.