Regional Convergence Encouraged Understanding and Stability in Lebanon
Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar told the Free Lebanon radio station on Saturday that there is a need to address regional changes, “such as Iran’s nuclear program and Hezbollah’s arms via diplomatic means, rather than confrontation.”
“Lebanon benefits from the Saudi-Syrian and US-Syrian rapprochement, which promotes stability and understanding in the country,” Najjar said, adding, “What is important today is that there is no more tension in the [Lebanese] cabinet.”
He commented on the Kataeb Party’s decision to appeal Article 6 of the Ministerial Statement pertaining to Hezbollah and its arms, saying, “[The appeal] is a message and a reservation to be addressed on the legal level. However, does the Constitutional Council have the power to look into such matters?”
“What is annoying is not that the appeal was proposed by the Kataeb, but that certain parties condemned taking such a step,” Najjar added, without elaborating any further.
He commented on the Syrian extradition notices issued against Lebanese public figures for perjury, saying that the relevant authorities are dealing with the issue.
Najjar also touched on Christmas mass held on Friday in Bkirki, saying that Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun shook hands with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. However, “it is shameful for one man to shake hands with another without looking into his eyes, and then still say that there is no conflict between the two,” said Najjar in a reference to Aoun.
“We have to look forward to the future and have a comprehensive Christian reconciliation,” he added.