Biden to voice US determination “to assist Lebanon”
VP will “reject interference in polls”
US Vice President Joe Biden will arrive to Beirut on Friday for an official visit, during which he will met with top Lebanese officials. During his brief visit to Beirut, Biden will meet with President Michel Sleiman to deliver a message from President Barack Obama.
According to the Central News Agency (CNA) Thursday, Obama”s message would stress the US administration”s support for Lebanon”s stability and to the implementation of international resolutions, in particular Security Council Resolution 1701.
The CNA added that the message would stress the United States” determination to "assist Lebanon and provide the Lebanese Army with necessary equipment in accordance with bilateral agreements signed during the visit of Defense Minister Elias Murr to Washington earlier this year.
According to the CNA, the US side would stress its rejection of any interference in Lebanese internal affairs.
Upon his arrival to Beirut, Biden will hold a private meeting with Sleiman at Baabda Palace. the US vice president will also meet with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Speaker Nabih Berri, the agency said.
Media reports said Thursday that Biden would also meet with March 14 officials.
Meanwhile, well-informed sources quoted by the CNA said a tripartite meeting including Sleiman, Siniora and Berri would be held on the sidelines of Biden”s visit to discuss pending issues on the agenda of the Cabinet session that will be held on Tuesday.
In other developments, Sleiman called for the establishment of a new electoral law, adding that reforms should start immediately after the elections.
"Reforms are being obstructed due to the current bickering before the elections," Sleiman said, adding: "There is no excuse that these reforms remain pending after June 8."
Addressing his visitors on Thursday, Sleiman also said: "Efforts should be focused on fighting corruption and activating the role of monitoring institutions, in addition to promoting accountability."
Sleiman also stressed on the importance of "preserving diversity which characterizes Lebanon in the region and the world," and added that the "spirit of the Taif Accord preserves this diversity."
Meanwhile, Berri criticized on Thursday statements saying that the Jezzine district was of one color. "Jezzine is a Lebanese region. It is not Christian, Shiite, Sunni or Druze," Berri told his visitors.
"Through diversity and coexistence … it represents a national image that should be adopted across Lebanon," he added.
Berri also said that the electoral battle should be "friendly and democratic."
Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt called for the need to strengthen the powers of the president.
"I”m for strengthening presidential powers in order to reach a solution to the vetoing third in the government, provided this takes place in the framework of the Taif Accord," Jumblatt said in an interview with the daily As-Safir published on Thursday. "We should reach a procedure to reconcile between the Taif Accord and the need to reconsider the president”s powers."
Meanwhile, Lebanese Forces (LF) candidate in Beirut I district Richard Kuyumjian withdrew from the electoral race on Thursday.
In a joint news conference with LF leader Samir Geagea, Kuyumjian said his withdrawal was "for the higher interest of March 14 Forces and the Cedar Revolution."
"We are the largest electoral force among March 14 Forces in Beirut I," Geagea said, adding: "We are proud of our positions and are always ready to offer sacrifices."
In other developments, former President Amin Gemayel called on the Lebanese to understand the importance of the upcoming parliamentary elections and to support the March 14 forces.
Gemayel met on Thursday with the candidates of the March 14 Forces” ticket in western Bekaa-Rashaya.
Addressing reporters following the meeting, the Phalange party president said: "I urge all Phalange supporters and the Lebanese people who believe in the country”s sovereignty to be aware of the importance of this electoral battle and to support the [March 14] list."
"Our battle is national par excellence; we are not leading an electoral battle but a clear national struggle," he added.
Also on Thursday, former Minister Suleiman Franjieh said his alliance with Syria "guarantees the protection of Lebanon and the Christians," and added: "We are with Syria and with this policy because it protects the Christians and the minorities … The Christians cannot afford to enter new adventures."
Franjieh said Muslims "can afford to form and end alliances freely because they are able to defend themselves."
"But if we [the Christians] make the wrong bet, this will be at the expense of our entity and existence," he added.
Regarding the upcoming polls, Franjieh said: "Some of those running in other lists [today] used to stand in line to be on our ticket."
"When we refused their requests, they sought the mediation of Syrian officials," he added.
In other developments, Hizbullah MP Mohammad Raad accused US Ambassador Michelle Sison of interfering in the formation of March 14 Forces” electoral tickets. "The majority team has trouble in forming its lists. It cannot form them unless US Ambassador Michelle Sison interferes in the process of choosing" candidates, Raad told a gathering in Nabatieh on Thursday.
Separately, the head of the National Bloc, Carlos Edde, said that the Kesrouan electoral list would be announced "as soon as possible," adding that the candidates were currently resolving the remaining obstacles. The ticket, which will face MP Michel Aoun”s list, is likely to include former MPs Fares Boueiz, Mansour Bon, Farid Haykal Khazen, in addition to Edde and Sejaan Azzi.
Meanwhile, news reports said the opposition forces” electoral list in Zahle would be announced on Sunday.