May 10 Lebanese demonstration seeks to offset UN pressure on Syria
Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 5/9/2006

Head of the Future bloc in the Lebanese parliament MP Saad al-Hariri criticized a decision to demonstrate on May 10 against a proposed government bill, which has been withdrawn, to modify public sector employment conditions.

Hariri said the demonstration, which is backed by Syria's allies in Lebanon, coincides with an upcoming United Nations Security Council meeting that is expected to pressure Damascus into implementing decisions that were unanimously taken in the ongoing Lebanese national dialogue conference.

In an interview with the Al-Hayat newspaper in Paris, Hariri regretted the fact that Syria, which is an Arab League member state, is sending a message to the Security Council which links pressure on it to the stability of Lebanon. He was also surprised that Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah has shifted his positions since they held talks recently, in what Hariri described as a very positive meeting. Hariri stressed that dialogue will continue despite the political tensions, since the Lebanese have no other solution to their problems.

However, Hariri questioned the reasons behind the opposition of the head of the Change and Reform bloc in Parliament General Michel Aoun to demonstrations aimed at bringing down President Emile Lahoud, while he supports the upcoming anti-government rally which seeks to block dialogue and anticipated solutions. He said the Future Movement also opposed the government employment bill, but Finance Minister Jihad Azour has clearly withdrawn it.

In response to a question, Hariri said the March 14 factions have scored major achievements including Lebanese independence and sovereignty. He added, parties that support the May 10 demonstration had been partners in reaching significant decisions during the national dialogue conference that should be implemented. Hizbullah and Amal are also part of the government, just as March 14 factions are too. He pointed out that Amal and Hizbullah had not taken part in the demonstrations that followed the assassination of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and other martyrs recently.

Hariri said the May 10 demonstration is politicized and its obvious goal is imposing the outcomes of dialogue, because the March 14 factions have made convincing arguments in Lebanon's interests, which the other parties had accepted when discussions were over non-economic issues. He told the London-based daily that the goal is to derail dialogue, and questioned why Hizbullah, Amal and MP Aoun do not want matters resolved and appear to favor the destruction of the country.

Head of the Future bloc said some of Syria's allies in Lebanon follow its instructions, and they are well known. He added, at the beginning Amal and Hizbullah were dealt with in a different manner, citing their popular support, and because of the need to "Lebanonize" dialogue. Hariri stressed that Amal, Hizbullah, as well as MP Aoun are now committing mistakes.

In the interview, Hariri said solutions should be found around the dialogue table and not by demonstrating, and pointed out that those who used to exploit public funds and had benefited from assassinations and corruption are attempting to make a comeback, but sovereignty is a "red line."

In response to a question about the presidency in Lebanon, head of the Future bloc told Al-Hayat, no one opposes the resignation of President Emile Lahoud, but the other parties seek to appoint a President from their midst, which is unacceptable. He stressed that the President should represent all the Lebanese.

Also in the interview, Hariri confirmed that Syrian troops have violated Lebanese demarcated territory, at Ersal and Ras Baalbeck, and cited remarks by Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyid Nasrallah in which he had told As-Safir daily that he was ready to fight Syrian troops if they enter Lebanon after the liberation of the Shabaa Farms.

Previous Stories:
  Syrian court summons against Walid Junblat   (5/8/2006)
  Progress in Lebanon requires cooperation of Syria: Annan   (4/27/2006)
  Syrian president meets Hariri assassination investigators   (4/25/2006)

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