Lebanese leaders continue to unveil candidate lists ahead of elections
Jumblatt calls for abolishing political confessionalism
Election campaigning picked up over the Easter weekend, with leaders announcing their candidates” list in a number of electoral districts. The Interior Ministry also announced that a large number of international organizations were submitting requests to monitor the June elections. The Central News Agency (CNA) said Monday that the ministry had so far accepted the requests of three organizations, including the European Union, the Carter Center and the National Democratic Alliance organization.
The CNA added that the ministry was still studying other requests, including a request from the Arab League, provided that the number of supervisors does not exceed 100 for each organization.
Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt said Monday "developing Lebanon”s political system should start with abolishing political confessionalism and completing the implementation of the Taif Accord."
In his weekly article to PSP”s Al-Anbaa newspaper, Jumblatt said: "As we commemorate the beginning of the Civil War, Lebanese political parties have a bigger responsibility to rise above disputes and deploy efforts toward building a strong state that protects all the Lebanese, dispels their concerns and fears and meets their ambitions to live in dignity and peace."
"Confessionalism is rooted in the different fields of political and national life," Jumblatt said, adding: "We should not surrender to this state, which has started to threaten the country”s internal situation."
Touching on the upcoming parliamentary polls, Jumblatt said the March 14 Forces realized "very important achievements, starting with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the Syrian forces” withdrawal in 2005, the establishment of Lebanese-Syrian diplomatic relations, as well as other achievements."
He added that success in the elections would allow the March 14 to "shift its attention toward the Lebanese people”s economic, social and living needs without distinguishing between opposition and loyalty" supporters.
In an interview with Al-Jadeed television, Jumblatt said he considered it "a mistake" that Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah recently admitted that a Lebanese arrested in Egypt was indeed a Hizbullah member.
"The party has nothing to gain by entering into conflict with Arab regimes," he said.
Jumblatt expressed his willingness to meet with Nasrallah, saying: "Some people in Hizbullah continue to doubt my intentions and stances, and I say one must distinguish between my speeches under the influence of violence with what I am saying now."
In other developments, the head of the Reform and Change parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun said he was "responsible for leading the opposition in this period to realize a true partnership in the rule of the country."
Aoun”s statement came following the bloc”s regular meeting on Monday in Rabieh.
"Rumors about the electoral lists that spread over the past two weeks are untrue," he said, adding that the opposition would win the elections because their opponents "don”t know what we are thinking of."
Aoun said the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) would announce its "comprehensive electoral program on May 7."
Commenting on Prime Minister Fouad Siniora”s nomination in Sidon, Aoun said: "This step hampers prior agreements."
The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader also emphasized his full support for Siniora”s opponent in Sidon, MP Osama Saad.
Aoun is heading to Moscow Tuesday as the head of an official delegation that will include former Minister Yaacoub Sarraf, MP Salim Aoun and other figures.
Aoun”s four-day visit to the Russian capital will include meetings with Federation Council Deputy Speaker Alexander Torshin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other officials.
The FPM leader will also hold a conference at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations on Lebanese and regional affairs in light of regional developments.
Separately on Sunday, President Michel Sleiman attended the Easter Mass in Bkirki which was held in the presence of Interior Minister Ziyad Baroud, Minister of State Joe Takla, as well as other MPs and political and diplomatic figures.
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir said in his sermon that the upcoming parliamentary elections widened the gap between the Lebanese. Sfeir added that he hoped the elections would be held in a calm atmosphere "so the Lebanese confirm that they are up to their national responsibilities."
A private meeting was held between Sleiman and Sfeir ahead of the Mass.
Aoun was also among Easter visitors to Bkirki on Sunday. In comments following his visit with the patriarch, Aoun said the meeting was held to congratulate Sfeir on the occasion of Easter, adding that discussions were limited to spiritual and cultural issues.
A Mass dedicated to France was also held in Bkirki on Monday. In a speech delivered on the occasion, French Ambassador Andre Parant said he hoped the upcoming parliamentary elections would be held in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for diversity and democracy.
Parant also stressed his country”s continuous support to Lebanon.
In other developments, Aoun announced on Saturday the FPM”s candidate in the Chouf and Maronite candidates in Aley.
Chouf candidates include Zaher al-Khatib, Mario Aoun, Nassif Azzi, Antoine Boustani, Abdo Mounzer and Bahaa Abdel Khalek.
Meanwhile, the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Mohammad Raad said Hizbullah would renew Speaker Nabih Berri”s term following the June 7 elections.
In remarks made over the weekend, Raad said: "We will renew the term of Speaker Nabih Berri in Parliament following the elections because he carries the agenda of the resistance and [supports] the establishment of a just and capable state."
Raad denied reports that the opposition was facing a deadlock over the formation of electoral lists in some districts.
"We are in complete agreement and will announce our tickets when the time is right," he said.
Also on Saturday, Deputy Speaker Farid Makari announced the March 14 Forces” candidates in the northern district of Koura, including Makari and MPs Farid Habib and Nicolas Ghosn.
In a ceremony held on the occasion, Makari pledged to work for the development of the northern region as well
as for Lebanon”s sovereignty and independence.
Meanwhile, the Amal Movement also launched its electoral campaign in the district of Baalbek during a massive ceremony held on Saturday.
The ceremony was attended by Industry Minister Ghazi Zeaiter and former Ministers Ali Abdullah and Talal Sahili.