Sleiman Denies Syrian, Iranian Role in Obstructing Gov’t Formation
27/09/2009 In an interview with Al-Hayat daily published on Sunday, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman said neither Syria nor Iran have any role in the current cabinet crisis. He added that Syria no intention to obstruct the cabinet formation or to interfere in Lebanon’s affairs “since Lebanese-Syrian relations have become built on trust. The Lebanese need to prove that they are capable of forming a cabinet.”
He said that reaching the agreement to form a national unity cabinet was the most difficult part in the cabinet formation process, explaining that Syria or Iran could have interfered to stop this agreement if they wanted to obstruct process.
Sleiman said the dispute over distribution of cabinet portfolios is causing the impasse. He added that the constitution doesn't ban the vanquished in polls from becoming ministers in a clear hint to the “majority’s” refusal to nominate Telecommunication Minister Jebran Bassil.
Sleiman also said that US President Barack Obama told him when they met in New York at the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly conference that there will be no settlement at the expense of Lebanon and that the US is committed to preserving Lebanon’s interest.
He stated that a technocrat cabinet or one of key leaders can be national unity cabinets as well. He denied having changed from a consensus president to one who tries to please all parties. “The president has his duties and conviction,” he explained.
According to Sleiman, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri did not actually want the president to sign the proposed cabinet line-up because Hariri desires a national-unity cabinet.
He said he is worried about the American-British-French warning to Iran and fears Western nations will repeat the mistakes they committed in Iraq, but added that military action against the Islamic republic is unlikely.
Sleiman also said that Israel is unlikely to start a war against Lebanon because the decision to do so has become more difficult.
According to the Lebanese President, the issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is unrelated to the cabinet impasse. He also believes that the deadlock will not affect Lebanon’s candidacy for a nonpermanent seat at the UN Security Council because the caretaker government is capable of addressing emergencies and the presidency has strong powers over foreign policy.
27/09/2009 In an interview with Al-Hayat daily published on Sunday, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman said neither Syria nor Iran have any role in the current cabinet crisis. He added that Syria no intention to obstruct the cabinet formation or to interfere in Lebanon’s affairs “since Lebanese-Syrian relations have become built on trust. The Lebanese need to prove that they are capable of forming a cabinet.”
He said that reaching the agreement to form a national unity cabinet was the most difficult part in the cabinet formation process, explaining that Syria or Iran could have interfered to stop this agreement if they wanted to obstruct process.
Sleiman said the dispute over distribution of cabinet portfolios is causing the impasse. He added that the constitution doesn't ban the vanquished in polls from becoming ministers in a clear hint to the “majority’s” refusal to nominate Telecommunication Minister Jebran Bassil.
Sleiman also said that US President Barack Obama told him when they met in New York at the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly conference that there will be no settlement at the expense of Lebanon and that the US is committed to preserving Lebanon’s interest.
He stated that a technocrat cabinet or one of key leaders can be national unity cabinets as well. He denied having changed from a consensus president to one who tries to please all parties. “The president has his duties and conviction,” he explained.
According to Sleiman, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri did not actually want the president to sign the proposed cabinet line-up because Hariri desires a national-unity cabinet.
He said he is worried about the American-British-French warning to Iran and fears Western nations will repeat the mistakes they committed in Iraq, but added that military action against the Islamic republic is unlikely.
Sleiman also said that Israel is unlikely to start a war against Lebanon because the decision to do so has become more difficult.
According to the Lebanese President, the issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is unrelated to the cabinet impasse. He also believes that the deadlock will not affect Lebanon’s candidacy for a nonpermanent seat at the UN Security Council because the caretaker government is capable of addressing emergencies and the presidency has strong powers over foreign policy.
No comments:
Post a Comment