Lebanese Forces Will Voice Reservations on Ministerial Statement
Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra told As-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper in an interview published on Wednesday that his party has reservations on several clauses in the Ministerial Statement, especially the one pertaining to Lebanon’s right to defend itself and to liberate its occupied territory “through its people, army and the Resistance.”
Zahra said that all legal means should be used to defend the country; however, the clause should not mention the Resistance.
He also touched on other clauses, saying that the terminology used in the 2008 Ministerial Statement is either inaccurate or insufficient.
For example, Zahra said that the LF prefers to change the word “respects” to “commits to” in the clause that states “the government respects international resolutions.”
Also, in the clause saying that the government is responsible for maintaining Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty, Zahra said that his party wished to add that it is also “responsible for the decision to wage war or make peace.”
Regarding the clause related to Lebanese-Syrian relations and border demarcation, he said that the LF requests including the disarming of Palestinian groups outside refugee camps.
He also emphasized the need to acknowledge the Lebanese emigrants’ right to vote in the 2009 statement.
The LF will voice its reservations about the Ministerial Statement if the comments are not taken into consideration, Zahra warned.