18/01/2011
The expression, which was first announced by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, is expected to become a reality in the few upcoming hours.
One day after the final indictment in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri was submitted by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, all priorities seem to have changed, as the national opposition announced the launch of a new stage in the history of the country.
Member of the opposition’s MARADA movement political council Karim Rassi said that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon was politicized.
“The STL turned to be a tool in the hands of the United States to target the Resistance,” he said in an exclusive interview with Al-Manar website. “Washington is making use of this tool to pressure Hezbollah in the interest of its closest ally, the Israeli enemy,” he added.
The former lawmaker said that the tribunal’s posture became fragile after the content of the indictment, supposed to be confidential, was leaked through the media. “The indictment is not confidential anymore,” he declared. “The proof is too simple: the articles published by the Western media, from Der Spiegel to Le Monde and others.”
The MARADA movement official said that the opposition is resorting to democratic, peaceful and constitutional options to raise its voice, after the death of the Saudi-Syrian initiative to defuse the tensions in the country.
He signaled that the opposition might organize popular gatherings in the upcoming stage. “The gatherings could take the forms of protests, demonstrations, civil obedience and could reach the level of changing the country’s rule in a legal form,” he pointed out.
FRANJIEH ADVISED SLEIMAN TO POSTPONE CONSULTATIONS
Rassi told Al-Manar website that the leader of the MARADA movement MP Sleiman Franjieh has advised Lebanese President Michel Sleiman to postpone the parliamentary binding consultations in order to pave the way for all parties to take firm decisions.
“There is not a strong party and another weak one. But there’s an opportunity for Saad Hariri to perceive the situation and engage into a serious settlement,” he said. “However, Hariri seems to be insisting on his project, neglecting the national interest.”
According to Rassi, the ruling March 14 bloc is dealing with the way of “deleting” the “others”. He stressed that the opposition was keen on preserving stability and was working to prevent sectarian sedition. “Unfortunately, there are always those who seek sedition in order to achieve their own gains.”
THERE WON’T BE A ONE-COLOR GOVERNMENT
Rassi asserted, meanwhile, that there would not be a one-color government in Lebanon. He rejected, however, the logic claiming that Saad Hariri was the sole candidate for premiership. “There are many Sunni figures who deserve to hold the position as well.”
Rassi clarified that Franjieh has proposed the name of former Prime Minister Omar Karame as his personal candidate. Yet, Franjieh will commit to the opposition’s united stance, Rassi stressed.
HEZBOLLAH WATCHING DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY
Also on Tuesday, Lebanon Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri mourned the death of the Syrian-Saudi initiative, adding that the pre-indictment phase would differ from the post-indictment phase.
A Hezbollah source, meanwhile, stressed that anything may happen after the indictment in the 2005 assassination case of former Premier Rafiq Hariri is announced. The source told pan-Arab daily As-Sharq Al-Awsat that the party is watching closely the developments of the tribunal’s work in The Hague. “After the indictment is issued, matters will take their course accordingly … the post-indictment phase will not be like the pre-indictment one at all.”
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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