French PM urges speedy salve in cabinet quandary
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon urged Lebanon on Monday to reach a rapid decision on forming a national-unity cabinet.
Addressing reporters in Beirut following a morning of meetings with top Lebanese politicians, Fillon spoke of France’s concern over the ongoing political impasse which has left Lebanon without a government for almost four months.
“I stressed that France is keen on a government being formed quickly,” he said. “It is urgent that a unity government be formed.”
Fillon met individually with President Michel Sleiman, caretaker Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri and Parliament Speaker Nabhi Berri after flying in to Beirut on Sunday to attend the opening ceremony of the 2009 Francophone Games, which Lebanon is hosting.
He reiterated France’s “support for Lebanon and for the country’s unity, independence and stability,” but warned that a national-unity cabinet would be difficult to form without consultations with all interested regional and domestic parties.
Citing Syria in particular, Fillon stressed that talks were required with all countries in the region to facilitate a stable political situation within Lebanon.
“It is illusory to think that all regional problems, including Lebanon, can be solved without dialogue with the Syrians or with countries that have influence over the situation,” he said, adding that France’s dialogue with Damascus was “honest and uncompromising.”
Fillon praised the conditions under which Lebanon’s June 7 elections were conducted.
“The parliamentary elections were held under conditions that we have to admit were exemplary,” he said.
Although allegations of anomalies at polling stations were reported at the time, the June vote was monitored by international observers and has since attracted praise from the international community.
Fillon said that a cabinet should be formed in order for Lebanon to continue making diplomatic progress, including the implementation of a number of sorely needed constitutional reforms.
“Forming the government will set an example for the countries in the region concerning the importance of democracy,” he said. “The people have voted and are now waiting that a government be formed in order to engage in the reforms Lebanon needs. I have asked the French delegation to maintain the current spirit of dialogue.”
Turning to security, Fillon reiterated France’s support for the UN Interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and for UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
“France will stay a part of UNIFIL, given that it is the second-largest contributor in this force that is helping maintain stability in the south,” he said. “We will stay by Lebanon’s side and guarantee its security in all situations.”
UNIFIL has endured a summer of altercations and planned attacks on soldiers operating close to the Blue Line – the UN-demarcated boundary of Israeli military withdrawal – in the country’s south. More than a dozen troops were injured in July when accosted by protesters near the village of Khirbet Silim, and several members of suspected extremist cells have recently been indicted for plotting to kill UNIFIL soldiers.
Fillon said that Resolution 1701 – drafted to end the 2006 summer war between Lebanon and Israel and extended last month until 2010 – should be “fully enforced,” calling it a “primary reference” for lasting peace between the two nations.
He expressed admiration for Lebanon’s apparently resilient economy and promised to continue building trading ties with Beirut. Lebanon has avoided
much of the global downturn, owing largely to its well capitalized banking system and a record-breaking summer that saw tourists flock to the country in their millions.
“Lebanon faced the world economic crisis in a great manner, and we wish for economic relations between our two countries to keep on progressing,” said Fillon.
He added that he had faith in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), stressing that it “should continue its work independently as to ensure justice.” The STL was established to try the killers of former Premier Rafik Hariri, who was killed along with 22 others by a Beirut car bombing in 2005. The tribunal has been plagued by accusations of politicization and has not filed any indictments since being ratified by the Security Council in 2007.
When asked about further UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, Fillon said that France was aiming “to take part in establishing peace in this region through a diplomacy which must be firm … but at the same time hold out a hand to dialogue.”