Hezbollah website reports reservations on Lebanese cabinet policy statement

[Report by Husayn Asi. "Magic Formula Reached, Committee Holds "Last" Meeting! " - Al-Manar site headline]

Finally, and after thirteen lengthy meetings, the ministerial committee in charge with drafting the policy statement holds Friday its "last" meeting, accomplishing therefore its mission and paving the way for the government to start operating effectively.

At least, this is what Information Minister Tarik Mitri announced following the committee's thirteenth meeting on Thursday. Mitri told reporters for the 13th "but the last" time that "it needs more time so we are going to meet again on Friday."

"We have agreed over all the sections of the policy statement," Mitri announced, noting at the same time that "some parties have reservations over some expressions but not over any of the statement's clauses".

"LEBANON'S RIGHT AS PEOPLE, ARMY AND RESISTANCE TO PURSUE LIBERATION OF LAND"

Yes, it seems that a government of national unity would submit a policy statement that some of its members have reservations on "some expressions" it includes!

Mostly, reservations are on the Resistance-related clause, mainly because the statement would include the word "Resistance" and affirm once again the basic right of the Resistance to liberate land, which does not suit some politicians' schemes.

Indeed, the Resistance-related formula came, according to press reports, as follows: "Lebanon's right as people, army and Resistance to pursue the liberation or recovery of its land using all legitimate and available means." This formula was also more or less present in the speech of Lebanese President Michel Sulayman in the occasion of the Army Day.

The Lebanese Forces, as usual, have reportedly expressed reservations on the formula and sought to impose its own conditions, calling for adding "under the state's realm" to it. For his part, Prime Minister Fu'ad al-Sanyurah called for adding several "words" to the resistance article, including "under the state's realm", "under the state's supervision" or "under the aegis of the legitimate Lebanese authority", Lebanese daily As-Safir reported. The daily also noted that the Lebanese Forces chief Samir Ja'ja and former President Amine Jumayyil have played an essential role in instigating ministers against the Resistance-related text.

According to the daily, the cabinet will most probably hold a meeting Saturday to approve the policy statement. But some of the ministers may express reservation and not vote in favour of the text. Thus, the government, obviously divided, would request the confidence of the Parliament, based on a policy statement that it hasn't, itself, approved unanimously. [Passage omitted]

Source: Al-Manar Television website, Beirut, in English 1 Aug 08