BEIRUT: Lebanon’s new government agreed Thursday on a policy statement, after two weeks of bitter debate over the thorny issue of a U.N.-backed tribunal probing the 2005 assassination of statesman Rafik Hariri.
“The policy statement was unanimously approved without amendments,” Information Minister Walid Daouk told reporters following a four-hour Cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda.
The manifesto highlighted the “significance of uncovering the truth about the Hariri assassination and the need to follow up the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.”
Daouk said the statement also asserts Lebanon’s “commitment to Arab and international ties as well as respect for U.N. resolutions within Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence and freedom of decision.”
The manifesto, read by Daouk, also emphasized the Palestinian right of return as well as the need to carry out decentralization functions, fight corruption and launch reforms.
The policy statement also adopted the formula of “the people, the army and the resistance,” indirectly backing Hezbollah’s right to maintain its weapons.
Sleiman and Mikati met privately prior to the Cabinet meeting.
Daouk requested that Parliament now officially vote to approve the government.