Opposition Determined: False Witnesses Issue Must See End!

Opposition Determined: False Witnesses Issue Must See End!

14/12/2010 On the eve of another “scheduled” cabinet session, the national opposition seems to be determined…

According to the opposition ministers, settling the false witnesses issue during Wednesday’s cabinet session is a must. However, nothing signals the file would see a “happy” or “sad” ending on Wednesday.

Both camps are still “divided” over the issue. While the national opposition insists such a sensitive file should be settled, even if the ministers would have to resort to the voting process for the first time since the cabinet’s birth, the March 14 bloc is rejecting the idea, joining President Michel Sleiman and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt who say they favor “consensus.”

The opposition is, meanwhile, determined. The false witnesses are those who misled the investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. They are those who, according to Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s acknowledgements, those who hurt the relations of Lebanon with other brotherly countries.

Yet, some Lebanese are seeking to “protect” these false witnesses, rejecting the transfer of their file to the Judicial Council…

Meanwhile, and on the eve of the cabinet session, the opposition ministers held a meeting at the Parliament to coordinate a unified stance. The meeting, attended by Hezbollah Secretary General political assistant Hajj Hussein Khalil and Parliament Speaker political assistant MP Ali Hasan Khalil, aimed at taking a final stance towards the false witnesses’ issue and the upcoming cabinet session to be held on Wednesday at the Baabda Presidential Palace.

The meeting comes following intensified consultations made by MP Ali Hasan Khalil who toured the political leaders and held talks during the few past hours with President Michel Sleiman, PM Saad Hariri and MP Walid Jumblatt.

Agriculture Minister Hussein Hajj Hasan wondered about the reasons preventing the Justice of tacking the false witnesses’ file. Speaking during a religious ceremony in Beirut’s southern suburb, Hajj Hasan said those who fabricated and protected the false witnesses were the ones behind the obstruction of finalizing their file, adding that whoever fabricated the accusations against Syria is the one who’s today fabricating witnesses to accuse the Resistance of involvement in Hariri’s murder.

Health Minister Mohamad Jawad Khalife said in turn the postponement of the false witnesses’ issue was not acceptable. Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Iranian ambassador, Khalife stressed the necessity to find a mechanism to end the file, without ruling out the possible of resorting to vote in case reaching consensus was not an option.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Saad Hariri held talks on Tuesday with Defense Minister Elias Murr on the current situation in Lebanon during which the minister confirmed his participation in Wednesday's Cabinet session. "The false witnesses’ issue should be discussed along with other files because it is just as important as them." He said that contacts are ongoing between the prime minister and MP Ali Hasan Khalil, hoping that their efforts may "meet halfway in order to address the people's issues."

Hariri later held talks with Hasan Khalil on current developments. The MP refused to make a statement after the meeting, but only said: "We are pursuing our consultations and the positive indications are ongoing."

But press reports said that Hariri informed the MP of his response to Speaker Nabih Berri's initiative to resolve the false witnesses file. The premier reportedly suggested the formation of a judicial committee comprised of six judges, two of which will be selected by the justice minister to tackle the false witnesses file and suggest the appropriate solution.

Earlier, the head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt said he backed Speaker Nabih Berri's last-minute effort to reach a compromise deal on the false witnesses' issue. He told Lebanese daily As-Safir that putting the issue at the top of the cabinet agenda was a positive sign by Premier Saad Hariri. "That's why I don't like to resort to voting," he said. "Let there be consensus on this file and stop delaying" a final solution.

Aoun: STL Examining Evidence to Accuse Hezbollah!
14/12/2010 The head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun accused on Tuesday the so-called Special Tribunal for Lebanon of examining evidence tha may implicate Hezbollah, saying that it is not seeking evidence that will exonerate it, which is a sign of its bias.

Speaking to reporters following his parliamentary bloc weekly meeting, Aoun questioned STL spokeswoman Fatima al-Issawi's resignation, saying that it may be a sign of "crises of conscience at the tribunal."

The Free Patriotic Movement leader, meanwhile, renewed his demand to refer the false witnesses file to the Judicial Council, accusing those obstructing this measure of "fabricating the witnesses whether they are MPs or ministers."

"They have no right to take sides, and if Prime Minister Saad Hariri wanted to take a side, he should resign and then do whatever he wants," he stated.

Aoun suggested that the false witnesses file be transferred to the justice council without Cabinet examining it. "Maneuvers over the Cabinet session do not save a country or individuals," he pointed out.

Furthermore, the General rejected the "sectarian incitement" issued from Tripoli, urging the need to refer the matter to the judiciary because it also counts as social incitement.


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