Zahra Predicts Arab, European, American Pressures on Syria
MP Antoine Zahra called for a “positive response” to an initiative outlined by Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to elect Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman President before Year End.
Zahra, in an interview with Naharnet, said: “We hope for a positive response to the initiative and as soon as possible … This initiative calls for electing Gen. Suleiman president as soon as possible through a constitutional
process because his election requires a constitutional amendment.”
“This can be achieved in a few hours,” Zahra said. “By convening parliament to amend the constitution, first, then holding a session to adopt the amendment bill into law and electing a president.”
“There is only one person who enjoys the confidence of all the parties and that is Gen. Suleiman, so let us speed up his election,” Zahra said.
He noted the Prime Minister Fouad Saniora”s government, after the election of a president, would “automatically be a resigned government.”
That, according to Zahra, allows the new president to host “national dialogue at the presidential palace where he can practice his natural role as guardian of the constitution.”
The Lebanese Forces MP clarified that an elected president is “not the sole guarantee, but this state with a head (president) would be able to tackle the problems, but without a head there will be room for breeding new problems.”
Electing a new president is the “top priority for the Lebanese Forces,” according to Zahra who refused to speak of alternative options if a new head of state was not elected.
Hizbullah, according to Zahra, has a “broad plan that goes beyond the Lebanese entity” and each Lebanese faction is called to declare its stand regarding the Hizbullah target.
Zahra called on Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun “and others to rationalize Hizbullah”s plan by convincing them that the time is not ripe for it.”
He predicted a “new international policy that would escalate (pressures) on Syria to convince Damascus that Lebanon is a totally separate issue and is not subject to barter deals.”
“This means that the traditional policy of using Lebanon as an arena and a card has fallen once and for all … Syria tried, through the French initiative, to revive this policy but did not succeed.
“On the contrary, it became clear that in the eyes of international politics, the United States and the Arabs Lebanon is an established state and homeland and cannot be used as a reserve for any other plans,” Zahra said.
“Syria, according to Zahra, has “started losing the margin of maneuverability … the maximum it enjoyed was French willingness to talk, and the contrary to that atmosphere would be witnessed by Syria was it from the United States, Europe or Arab states.”
The French administration of President Nicolas Sarkozy, according to Zahra, is “in a hurry and wants to achieve a political and diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East, so they give from the pockets of others while
bargaining.”