Defense Strategy Should Protect “People’s Blood” Not Exploit It
MP Elias Atallah called, in an interview with Al-Mustaqbal newspaper on Thursday, for implementing all the recommendations of the 2006 national dialogue. He added that the previous discussions over the defense strategy at the roundtable dialogue should also be taken into consideration.
He also said the tragic phase, which the Arab world had witnessed, should remind all parties to keep Lebanon neutral to enhance its role in helping in the peace process.
Atallah added that it was no longer acceptable to talk about “strategies that are protected by the people’s sacrifices,” but instead one should define strategies in their ability to protect their people.
He called for ending the “phenomena” of Palestinian arms outside the refugee camps, especially after the rocket-launching from South Lebanon toward northern Israel. He added that President Michel Sleiman already gave some hints about this issue and noted a national consensus was necessary on the issue of containing the arms as soon as possible.
He concluded that United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 was a good approach to keep Lebanon neutral.