Qandil: Sanoira”s Nomination in Sidon Ends Doha Agreement
Former Member of Parliament Nasser Qandil said that Prime Minister Fouad Saniora”s decision to run for the legislature in June ends the Doha agreement, adding that the decision to run was "made in America to create tensions in the city."
In a press conference on Friday, Qandil said: "Saniora”s nomination ends the Doha agreement, for the prime minister is supposed to be neutral. This calls for forming a new cabinet with a neutral prime minister that would oversee the June parliamentary elections."
He called on former Prime Minister Najib Miqati, calling him "the most excelled candidate to head a national unity government to reject any accepting to enter into any coalition that does not include Omar Karami (a former Prime Minister as well), former Foreign Minister Jean Obeid and someone representing the Allawite sect.
Qandil called on President Michel Suleiman to intervene and foster the prime minister to withdraw his nomination or pull out of the race. He also called on March 8 Forces to use their veto power in cabinet and make this a reality.
He went on to charge U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman of indirect interference in the Lebanese parliamentary elections saying, Feltman fostered the nomination of candidate Samer Saade in Tripoli and other Christian members of the March 14 Forces in the Shouf, Aley and Baabda regions.
"This matter would certainly lead to an open civil war in the country on the eve of the parliamentary elections," Qandil said.
He called for settling this issue "because the country is moving into the unknown."
On 21 May 2008 rival Lebanese politicians from both March 8 and 14 Forces forged an agreement in Doha, Qatar that ended days of violence and tensions in Lebanon. The agreement called for the election of Army Commander Michel Suleiman to the presidency, the formation of a national unity government and provided March 8 Forces with veto power in cabinet. It also prohibited the use of weapons or violence or taking refuge in them in any dispute whatsoever and under any circumstances.