Lebanon is not Israel's playground

Lebanese President Elias Hrawi said on June 27 that Israel may try to divert attention from its own internal problems by fueling tension in south Lebanon.

"Lebanon is not an area for settling accounts and resolving conflicts, and it will never be a place for Israel to exploit when seeking a settlement for its own internal conflicts," Hrawi said.

The president was speaking at a ceremony held at the Lebanese University's Faculty of Dentistry in Sin al-Fil in memory of the late intellectual Michel Asmar.

Hrawi called for a larger role by intellectuals in future plans for the country.

"Academics, journalists, administrators and businessmen are invited to participate in the process of constructing the state and organizing it," he said.

"In writing, no one wants Lebanon to be built on sectarian bases, but in practice, deeds are scarcely clear of sectarianism," he added.

"It is not fair that the maneuvers of politicians should remain stronger than the seriousness of intellectuals." Hrawi called for enhancing national accord by "respecting the basics of this accord and respecting laws and traditions" and by "adhering to democracy which should not be exploited for personal interests."