Al-Manar Television website, Lebanon
Feb 26 2009

Al-Manar website posts reports on elections; opposition to announce
unified list

Beirut Al-Manar TV Online in English was observed on 26 February to
post the following reports on the Lebanese parliamentary elections
slated for 7 June 2009:

Funaysh to Al-Manar: Opposition to Announce Soon Unified Lists

Labour Minister Muhammad Funaysh reiterated on Thursday that the
national opposition forces were united, denying rumours about
differences and conflicts emerging among the opposition’s constituents
ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Speaking to Al-Manar, Minister Fneish announced that the opposition
was intensifying its efforts to declare unified electoral lists
soon. He said that having differing views regarding the formation of
electoral lists was acceptable, but noted that, at the end, the
opposition would run united in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Fneish noted that the worries expressed by some of the opposition
poles over holding the elections on a single day were justified. He
pointed out that the major reason for such worries was the security
situation, given that the elections come after a series of security
incidents that happened during the previous period all over
Lebanon. Fneish pointed out that such incidents might have
repercussions on the whole picture and mainly on the election process.

Meanwhile, the Hezbollah minister called on the Ministry of Interior
to remove all obstacles and difficulties that were obstructing the
issuance of the IDs operation and correct the mistakes in the
distribution lists.

In another interview with Lebanese daily Ad-Diyar, Fneish said that
meetings between Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah,
Speaker Nabih Berri and the head of Change and Reform parliamentary
bloc MP Michel Aoun would continue, but he refused to provide any
additional information. Fneish asked that all political parties,
despite their differences, avoid provocative political language in
their speeches.

Jumayyil : Whoever Wins in Metn Wins the Elections

The head of the Phalange Party Amin Gemayel declared that the party
that wins the Metn district poll in the upcoming parliamentary
elections would win the whole election and get the parliamentary
majority.

The battle in the Metn district, located in Mount Lebanon, is
considered to be one of the fiercest all over Lebanon. There,
yesterday’s allies became today’s competitors and all surprises seem
to be possible.

Speaking to Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, Gemayel said uncovered that an
agreement for an equal share in Metn has so far been reached between
him and MP Michel Murr, his ally in elections.

Gemayel said his Maronite share would go to his son, Sami who is in
charge with negotiations with Murr, while the other to former Phalange
Party chief Elie Karami, a Catholic. He noted that the other seats
would be left for his allies in the March 14 coalition.

The former President warned that failing to reach an understanding
with the Tashnaq party would lead to the formation of a closed
coalition list, noting that he discussed with Murr alternative
Armenian names for the Metn list and stressing that this possibility
is under consideration with Murr.

He pointed out that his allies in the constituencies are "the ones who
need the Phalange Party more than we need them," adding that the
upcoming elections would be a test, and March 14 aimed to win as a
team rather than as separate candidates.

Paqradounian: Murr Will Not Nominate Any Armenian on His List

Member of Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Hagop Paqradounian
said that he was sure MP Michel al-Murr would not include any Armenian
candidate on his electoral list in the Metn district, adding that the
alliances in the upcoming elections were clear.

The battle in the Metn district, located in Mount Lebanon, is
considered to be one of the fiercest battles all over Lebanon. There,
yeterday’s allies became competitors and all surprises seem to be
possible.

Speaking to New TV on Thursday, Paqradounian said that his party, the
Tashnaq, was comfortable with Free Patriotic Mov ement leader MP
Michel Aoun, adding that the relation between the two parties was
built on honesty.

He also said that Murr sought to arrange a meeting between the Tashnaq
party and Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri, adding that he did
not object to such a meeting. He said he requested several
appointments with Hariri, which were not granted, and he did not know
why.

The Tashnaq MP recalled that there is a semi-settlement in the second
electoral district in Beirut, noting that this is a sacrifice made by
the Armenians for the sake of coexistence. "I do not know why they do
not understand our position; they want to interpret it as they
wish. We honestly say that we want to revive the Armenian
parliamentary bloc," he emphasized.

Phalange, LF Delegations Meet to Discuss Elections

Representatives from the Phalange party met Thursday with their
Lebanese Forces counterparts to discuss the formation of electoral
lists and overcome conflicts and differences emerging within the March
14 bloc in the residence of Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan.

Following the talks, Adwan told reporters that LF and the Phalange
were both aware of the current phase "because of their shared history
of struggle." He said that ties between the two parties are connected
to "the main headlines that serve the homeland."

For his part, the head of the Phalange delegation Albert Costanian
described Thursday’s meeting as "very good and comes as part of honest
and natural rounds (of discussion) with the primary ally, the Lebanese
Forces."

He said the parties were deliberating "the best choice for candidate
to run in the elections. We are considering the best option to engage
in the battle together and win together for all of Lebanon."

He said that the lists will be announced at the end of the discussion
rounds.

Berri Says Lebanon Cannot Be Governed without Consensus

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Thursday that Lebanon’s fate is
to always be governed through political consensus regardless of which
force wins or loses in the elections.

"Lebanon is sentenced (to be governed through) consensus," Berri told
a delegation from the Chouf and Alley. "We are sentenced to consensus
for the best of this country, whether we win the elections or lose or
whether March 14 win the elections or lose."

He called for "the kind of national unity that would achieve victory."
Lebanon "cannot handle a policy of elimination. The history of Lebanon
is fraught with exclusions, but the result was the breakout of
revolutions," Berri said.

The Speaker renewed calls for voters to "elect the programme not the
person."

He also said that the outcome of the Israeli elections shows an urgent
need for "Arabs to unite and intensify cooperation and coordination
among them."