Lebanese National News Agency, Lebanon
July 15 2009
Lebanese 14 March Forces meeting views government formation, security issues
["14 March: 1701 Cornerstone That Still Needs To Be Applied; We Refuse
to Return to the Experience of Obstruction, and Interest of the State
Should Be Placed Before Any Consideration; Allush: Basic Principle is
Not to Include Blocking Third Within New Government." – NNA headline]
Beirut, 15 July: The Secretariat-General of the 14 March Forces has
held its periodic meeting in the presence of: Deputy Sibawayh
Kalbakyan of the Hanshaq Party; former deputies Faris Sa’id, Mustafa
Allush, Ilyas Atallah, and Samir Franjiyah; and the gentlemen Michel
Khuri, Sasin Sasin, Mishel Miktif, Adi Abi-al-Lama, Nawfal Daw, Harar
Hawfifyan of the Ramghafar Party, Wajih Nurbatalyan of the Free
Lebanese Armenian Movement, and Nasir al-As’ad.
The Secretariat-General issued a statement following the meeting that
was read by Dr Allush, which said:
"First: On the anniversary of the July 2006 war
The beginning of this week corresponded to the third anniversary of
the July 2006 war. On this occasion, we remember the martyrs and the
wounded who fell as a result of this war. We do not forget the immense
destruction that befell us, whether on the level of the houses and
public utilities, or on the level of the national economy. Moreover,
we do not forget the national solidarity, by the government and the
people, during the war, which alleviated the burden of the
catastrophe, and imposed the document of the Lebanese "seven points"
as a basis for the international resolution that received the
unanimous approval of the Lebanese people. What is extremely
unfortunate is that this resolution, which represents the cornerstone
in terms of Lebanon’s protection, still lacks implementation and is
subjected to serious violations by most of the concerned parties,
regionally and internally, according to the periodic reports issued by
the UN secretary-general concerning this matter. The 14 March Forces
consider the protection of Resolution 1701 a national and
international mission, which the United Nations and the Lebanese state
must undertake. Consequently, the state is required to strive
continuously to implement and enable this resolution, considering it
the practical, logical, and sound basis for any defensive
strategy. Moreover, it is the main criterion for Lebanon’s commitment
to its international obligations.
Second: On the formation of the government:
The 14 March Forces are committed to their stance that supports the
formation of a coalition government with the 8 March Forces at this
time, in order to strengthen the general Lebanese situation regarding
the existing challenges and obligations and because they are convinced
of the soundness of a the partnership at this critical time in
Lebanon’s history. The 14 March forces call on the prime minister
designate and the president of the republic to work together on the
basis that there is no returning to the experience of obstruction, and
that the interest of the state is above any consideration. Under these
circumstances, the 14 March Forces call on them to surmount the
obstacles.
Third: On internal security and safety:
The state cannot rise while its capital sleeps and wakes for fear of
the weapons that are nesting inside it, practising the hobby of
terrorization on every occasion, when it has no known legitimate
occupation!
Moreover, one cannot reconcile between the fact that Lebanon, this
summer, is at the top of the countries visited for tourism and
business, and that the weapons that have spread in some areas, are
awaiting the visitors and urging them to leave the country, which is
what took place in Ba’labak a few days ago!
The safety that is required for the citizens and the residents cannot
be provided without the sovereignty of the state and the unity of its
weapons within. Therefore, the 14 March Forces reiterate their demand
for a comprehensive and decisive plan concerning the matter, starting
from the capital Beirut, by making it a safe and demilitarized city,
especially since the measures that have been taken thus far, despite
their seriousness, have shown to be insufficient, and each day carries
reports on different incidents that elicit the concern of citizens all
over Lebanon.
Dialogue:
Responding to a question on percentages and the blocking third, Allush
emphasized that "there will be no return to the logic of obstruction."
He said: "The obstruction during the previous stage took place in the
presence of an opposition capable of obstructing the decisions of the
government. The basic principle is not to have the blocking third
within the new government."
He emphasized that the "14 March Forces are committed to their stance
that rejects granting the opposition the blocking third."
Concerning the reasons for the absence of the representative of the
Progressive Socialist Party from the meeting, he emphasized that
"there is an emergency reason that pertains to the representative who
was supposed to attend the meeting." He noted that the "Democratic
Gathering attends the meetings on a regular basis."
Regarding the differences in opinion within the 14 March Forces and
the possibility of internal restructuring, especially in light of the
recent stances of Deputy Walid Junblatt, Allush said: "Deputy Walid
Junblatt has a specific quality that we all know of. However, the
representatives of the Progressive Socialist Party and the "Democratic
Gathering" are present in the Secretariat General of the 14 March
Forces, and all the decisions that are made and the statements that
are issued by the 14 March Forces take place through a consensus
between all its spectrums."
Concerning the position of the 14 March Forces should the
International Tribunal issue an indictment against a group of Lebanese
in the case of the assassination of Prime Minister Al-Hariri, Allush
noted that "this matter is subject to careful consideration, in terms
of the practical steps that could be taken by the 14 March Forces,"
reiterating the main stances of this team. He said: "We called for the
establishment of an International Tribunal, and when the rulings that
were issued concerning the four officers were contrary to our
expectations, we announced our full support for the decision of the
International Tribunal. We are committed to any clear decision in
terms of the indictments of the International Tribunal."
Responding to a question on the connection between the tribunal’s
issuing of an indictment and the formation of the government, Allush
said: "We do not know of any connection to this issue. What took place
before the elections, in terms of the release of the four officers, is
the greatest proof. Some expected a delay in the elections; however,
the issue was not affected by this matter. At least we do not believe
that the issue of the delay or non-formation of the government is
connected to this matter. Concerning the other side, we cannot predict
its stance. However, what is certain is that through insisting on the
blocking third, there is an attempt to hinder the formation of the
government."
Regarding the effect of the visits exchanged between the different
political teams on the formation of the government and bringing
advancing the date, Allush emphasized that "any movement within the
internal house in order to raise and clarify ideas contributes to
crystallizing these ideas." He said: "In some cases, some visits may
complicate matters more, especially if the stances remain as they are,
whether in terms of the blocking third or the percentages that are
proposed by some."