Lebanese figures warn of US intervention in Lebanon's internal affairs

Deputy Chairman of the Lebanese Islamic Shiite Council Sheikh Abdulamir Qabalan has called on the new Lebanese government to build its work mechanism based on the Taif Agreement, stressing importance of establishing the best relations with Syria in the interest of both sides.

During Friday prayers, Qabalan reiterated rejection of foreign intervention in Lebanon's internal issues, saying "If the U.S. Secretary of States' visit to Beirut aims at intervening in the Lebanese affairs, then it is an unaccepted issue." He called on the American official to intervene and play a role in returning the Palestinians to their homeland and not to settling them in the hosting countries.

Qabalan underlined "Israel's role in destabilizing Lebanon through the assassinations it carried out in the country."

For his part, chairman of the Lebanese Najada Party, Mustafa al-Hakim, called on the U.S. to deal with Arab issues from one perspective and to avoid the double standard policy that allows Israel to remain the exception which violates the international resolutions.

In a statement, Hakim said the U.S. Secretary of States' sudden visit to Beirut today is part of the American direct pressure on Lebanon's decision.

"Rice's visit implicates American demands for carrying out of foreign intervention in Lebanon's internal issues, particularly disarming the Lebanese national resistance," Hakim said.

Hakim concluded by reiterating his country's rejection to any foreign intervention in Lebanon's decisions, particularly those relevant to the vital national issues.