No Need to Discuss Possibility of Hariri Bowing Out
Interim PM Fouad Saniora said Monday that the premier-designate will continue with his mission to form a government stressing from Baabda Palace that the possibility of Saad Hariri stepping down was not under discussion.
"There is no need to discuss any issue linked to Hariri bowing out," Saniora replied to a reporter”s question after talks with President Michel Suleiman.
"There is now a premier-designate and he will continue to carry out his tasks to form a government," he added.
Saniora stressed the need to "put things back on the path that leads to the government”s formation."
He said the best approach was to "stay away from giving statements, exercise patience before making announcements and allow a chance for deliberations over the government away from the limelight."
On another note, Saniora said the Lebanese government asked for an extension of UNIFIL”s mission in the south "a while ago." He reiterated that Israel "must withdraw from the northern part of the Ghajar village which was liberated in 2000 and reoccupied in 2006."
"Lebanon has reached a detailed mechanism to complete an Israeli withdrawal. But, as usual, Israel continues to violate its commitments under international resolutions, including 1701," Saniora said.
"Israel”s presence in northern Ghajar constitutes a daily act of aggression and a flagrant violation of international resolutions," he added.