We Are Holding Elections, Not Going to War
Minister of Education Bahia Hariri said Saturday the prime minister”s decision to run in the elections in Sidon must not be seen as an attempt to put the city in a state of war.
She dismissed insinuations that the aim behind Fouad Saniora”s candidacy was to "shut down political houses."
"A position in parliament does not belong to one person. It is decided by the will of the people and is (voted for) every four years," she told a gathering of Sidon”s families.
"They are trying to present a false picture, one that shows us going to war. We are going to the elections. It is your right and the right of every individual in this city to elect a representative," Hariri said.
She reassured her audience that Sidon "was not in danger of destabilization" and warned against "any attempt to mess with security."
Hariri concluded by recalling Sidon”s history as the city that never yields.
"Have we not studied in the history book how the people of Sidon preferred to burn the city instead of laying down their arms? Acts of intimidation and threats do not scare us."