I am The Guarantor of Partnership; Keen on Safeguarding UNIFIL and Implementing 1701
President Michel Suleiman said he is the guarantor of political partnership in Lebanon and the protector of the Lebanese constitution. The president said that Lebanon is keen on safeguarding the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 without any amendments.
On the occasion of Army day on Saturday the President in an unprecedented move was accompanied by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Care-Taker prime Minister Fouad Saniora and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri celebrated the 64th anniversary of the Lebanese armed forces at the Military school of Shukri Ghanem in Fayadeyeh.
Suleiman called on the Lebanese not to sink into the various political polarizations that hinder the state”s progress, he assured his audience that nation building calls for compromises by all.
The president said that the delay in forming a national unity government calls on all of us to re-think the constitutional gaps that continue to hinder the democratic game in Lebanon.
Suleiman said the next government must work on a wide range of reforms covering the entire republic and move the nation towards further progress and modernization, to place a clear and valid economic plan and to end electric power and water shortages in the country.
"If the problem lies in us officials, then let us all go; and if the problem is constitutional, then lets go and amend it to guarantee a balance of powers," Suleiman said.
He also called for a self-made criticism by all politicians in simply asking themselves what have we offered the Lebanese people so far.
The president pointed that Israel continues to breach United Nations Security Council resolution 1701. he went further to affirm that the international resolution should be fully implemented without any added amendments.
"We are keen on also safeguarding the UNIFIL as we do our soldiers," Suleiman said.
He touched on Lebanese-Syrian relations saying diplomatic relations with Damascus have established the depth of the relationship between both people.
Suleiman also called for implementing the 1989 Taef accord and for placing a new election law. He affirmed that political sectarianism works on hindering political life in Lebanon.
Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji issued the order of the day to the military on their 64th anniversary calling on them to remain vigilant against any possible Israeli aggression and to foil the enemy”s plans as it continues to occupy the Shaebaa Farms, the Kfar Shouba Hills and the northern portion of the Ghajjar village.