Lahd asks for pardon for his militia members from President Lahoud

The commander of the militias collaborating with Israel, Antoine Lahd, on Monday in Marjyoun, occupied south Lebanon, called on Lebanese President Emile Lahoud to enact a general pardon for his militia members.

In an open message to President Lahoud in a press conference he held at his house in Marjyoun, Lahd said, "The best and most appropriate solution for all is to release a general pardon similar to the pardon released in 1991 for all crimes committed between the years 1975 and 1991 in the absence of the state," adding that this is "undoubtedly applicable on the border areas where there is actually no state for more 25 than years."

Lahd (72), addressing the Lebanese President in his capacity as responsible for ensuring security and protection for all the Lebanese in any region they lived in and under any conditions they were put in, said "you can exclude the head of the 'Pyramid' (meaning himself) in the border area in this general pardon decree and limit the responsibility to the man who writes these lines, (He means he wanted to sacrifice himself instead of his militias)."

Lahd also renewed his stand which calls for not giving up weapons unless the state guarantees the safety and security of the militia's members and the citizens of the border areas after the Israeli withdrawal expected before July 7.

Lahd added that the citizens carried weapons in 1976 before Israel entered Lebanon and might be forced to carry them for years after Israel's withdrawal, as long as the government will continue to be absent.

He added that the citizens of the border area find themselves in front of one choice out of three:

1- The migration of thousands of South Lebanon Army militia members through Israel or to stay in Israel as refugees. He said this migration might cover complete villages;

2- Surrendering themselves to the Lebanese law as collaborators (with Israel) and the consequences of this measure on their economic and social conditions;

3- Carrying weapons and defending themselves to avoid migration and subjugation as well as to avoid being in prison or being convicted as traitors.

He continued that the majority of the militia members preferred the third choice, adding that if fighting is limited to this region between the citizens and what is called Islamic resistance, there will be no big problem, adding, "But if the Lebanese Army interfered in the interests of what is called the resistance, I think national reconciliation will be confused, a thing which we do not want to take place."

Lahd added that the South Lebanon Army militia owns enough weapons to survive, even if Israel decides to withdraw its heavy weapons.

Replying to questions asked by journalists, Lahd said the Israeli army could take the heavy weapons it has given the SLA, but, "We have enough weapons, intermediate, individual and heavy."

Replying to another question on how the SLA militias dealt with the UN forces which will be deployed in the areas where Israel will withdraw from, Lahd said, "We are internal security. And this is what our position will be after the withdrawal." He stressed that it is not among the tasks of the UN forces to dissolve the SLA.

He added, "Nobody can dissolve us-- not Israel nor the UN and no others." He said the leadership of the SLA will dissolve the militia when it finds that this measure is appropriate.