Lebanon”s new president appeals for unity
Lebanese army chief Michel Sleiman appealed for unity on Sunday after being sworn in as president following a parliament vote that capped a long-running political crisis in the country.
"Let us unite… and work towards a solid reconciliation," the former army chief said after being sworn in before lawmakers. "We have paid dearly for our national unity. Let us preserve it hand-in-hand."
"I call upon all of you, politicians and citizens, to start a new phase called Lebanon and the Lebanese… in order to achieve the interests of the nation," he said.
Lawmakers greeted Sleiman, 59, when he arrived in parliament with a standing ovation following his election by MPs in a much-delayed vote.
The presidency had been left empty since November when pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud stepped down at the end of his term with no elected successor because of a long-running standoff between the Western-backed majority and the Hezbollah-led opposition backed by Syria and Iran.
Sleiman vowed to protect the country”s constitution, sovereignty and independence and urged the Lebanese to put their differences aside to bring about a new era.
"I swear by God almighty that I will respect Lebanon”s constitution and its rules and that I will protect the sovereignty of Lebanon and the security of its territory," he said.
"In this new era, we will commit to a national plan … in which the country”s interests will be a priority over factional and sectarian interests."
He added that Lebanon”s weapons should only be directed at the enemy and not elsewhere, an implicit reference to the militant group Hezbollah which staged a brief armed takeover this month of mainly Sunni areas of west Beirut.
He also said that as president he would seek friendly and diplomatic relations with Syria, Lebanon”s former powerbroker which backs the opposition and which has no formal diplomatic ties with its smaller neighbour.
"We cherish our relationship with Arab countries and seek brotherly ties with Syria based on mutual sovereignty and independence," Sleiman said.
Sleiman said Lebanon needed to establish a defence strategy to address continued violations of its territory by Israel and to liberate the disputed Shebaa Farms territory.
"The Shebaa Farms remain under occupation and because of continued threats and violations of our sovereignty by Israel, we must draw up a national defence strategy to protect the country," Sleiman said.
Picture: Lebanon”s army chief Michel Sleiman (C) salutes people gathered at his family home in Feyyadieh, Beirut. Sleiman appealed for unity after being sworn in following a parliament vote that many hope will turn a new page in the crisis-ridden nation.
(AFP/Joseph Barrak)