Amal praises Jumblatt”s “wise reaction” to Zeineddine killing
A delegation from Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri”s Amal Movement visited the town of Shebbaniyeh on Friday to offer condolences to the family of Lutfi Zeineddine, who was killed last week. Zeineddine, a supporter of MP Walid Jumblatt”s Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), was attacked by March 8 supporters while he was heading back home from a mass rally to commemorate the fourth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri”s assassination.
MP Ali Hassan Khalil, who headed the delegation, said that Amal would not provide any cover for the culprits who are suspected to be behind Zeineddine”s killing.
"We fully support the measures taken by the Lebanese Armed Forces to arrest the assailants and bring them to justice," he said.
Khalil praised Jumblatt”s "wise reaction" to the incident, adding that the PSP leader was the first to contain tensions and promote calm.
Meanwhile, PSP lawmaker Akram Shehayeb said following brief talks with the Amal delegation that Zeineddine”s murder could have led to unrest had it not been contained by Jumblatt and other leaders.
Shehayeb praised Berri”s role in maintaining calm and facilitating efforts by security forces to track down the assailants.
Also Friday, Labor Minister Mohammad Fneish (Hizbullah) told the Kuwaiti daily Awan in remarks to be published on Saturday that contacts between Hizbullah and MP Saad Hariri”s Future Movement were "at their highest levels."
Fneish also had some words of praise for Jumblatt, adding that Hizbullah was in continuous contact with the PSP.
Late on Thursday, Hariri and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea urged security authorities to take all necessary measures to punish the perpetrators of the February 14 attacks.
"The culprits of the attacks against March 14 supporters should be arrested and punished," said a joint statement following the late meeting at Hariri”s residence in Qoreitem.
Hariri and Geagea hailed the mass turnout by "both Muslims and Christians" at the February 14 rally, adding that the heavy participation proved that the Lebanese people were committed to democracy, independence, sovereignty and national coexistence.
The upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for June 7, were also among other issued discussed by the two leaders.
In another development, former President Amin Gemayel wrapped up his visit to Belgium on Friday by meeting Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht. Gemayel said after the meeting that the upcoming elections in Lebanon would be decisive in determining the country”s future path.
"Elections in Lebanon are not being held in accordance with the traditional principles of democracy for the simple reason that the main party in the opposition, which is Hizbullah, has the power to control the country on the security and military levels if it won the elections," he said.
Later on Friday, Gemayel met French Ambassador Andre Parant upon his return to Beirut.
Also Friday, Internal Security Forces (ISF) chief Major General Ashraf Rifi urged ISF members not to intervene in the elections and to remain at the same distance from rival candidates.
Rifi urged his officers to stay away from all electoral meetings and political campaigns, adding that violators would be subject to punishment.
Late on Thursday, Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh told his supporters at a dinner ceremony in Zgharta that voters will be facing temptations ahead of the June polls.
"The elections are close and you will be hearing rumors and facing temptations," he said.
Franjieh stressed that he was counting on his supporters and not his allies to win the elections in the Zgharta.
"I am counting on you only … not on Hizbullah or even Syria … my allies can help on a broader level but only you are capable of helping me achieve victory in the elections," he said.
Franjieh will run in Zgharta along with former MP Estephan Dwayhi and Salim Karam. His main contender will be Michel Mouawad, the son of late President Rene Mouawad and March 14 lawmaker Nayla Mouawad.
On a separate front, the debate over funding the Council of the South is delaying the release of the Cabinet”s 2009 budget.
Information Minister Tarek Mitri told reporters late Thursday that "tangible progress" was made during Thursday”s Cabinet session toward resolving the crisis over funding the council. Despite reporters” requests for more information, he refused to elaborate.
Siniora and Berri are reportedly at odds over the amount and timing of funding to be provided to the council.