BEIRUT: The issue of Hizbullah’s weapons arsenal will not delay the swift drafting of the newly formed unity Cabinet’s policy statement. The committee of ministers tasked with drafting the government’s platform received a draft statement over the weekend, which they are expected to discuss during a second meeting on Monday. The statement’s first draft is based on that adopted by the previous cabinet.
The statement is expected to be issued before the country’s Independence Day marked each year on November 22, while the issue of Hizbullah’s arms would be left to discussions during national dialogue sessions, politicians said Sunday.
On Saturday, President Michel Sleiman urged for the prompt formulation of the Cabinet’s policy statement to promote Lebanon’s position on international scenes ahead of Independence Day.
Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud said the ministerial statement would be based on the one adopted by the previous Cabinet of former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
On Sunday, both parliamentary majority and opposition officials voiced hope for the quick formulation of the policy statement while underscoring the need for cooperation in the new cabinet away from contentious issues.
Hizbullah officials on the weekend stressed the party’s role in resisting Israeli occupation.
Hizbullah MP Nawaf Moussawi underscored on Sunday the need to safeguard Hizbullah’s weapons saying further divisions among the Lebanese would only encourage Israel’s desire for war.
Also, Minister of State for Administrative Development Mohammad Fneish said on Sunday that “no rational individual” would deny Hizbullah its role in resisting occupation.
Fneish also stressed the need to strengthen partnership and cooperation in the new government in order to face Israeli challenges as a coherent team.
Public Works and Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi told Al-Manar on Sunday that the issue of Hizbullah’s arms should be discussed during national dialogue sessions, adding that the ministerial statement cannot provide solutions to the issue of the resistance’s weapons.
Aridi added that it will not take “too long” to draft the ministerial statement.
Culture Minister Salim Wardeh, meanwhile, urged for the prompt formulation of the Cabinet’s ministerial statement prior to Independence Day.
Wardeh added that a positive atmosphere was present in the government based on the will of all political parties to cooperate to help the country overcome the past difficult situation.
“The ministerial statement would reflect that positive atmosphere,” Wardeh said.
Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan said that the Cabinet came as a “compromise,” adding that he wished the distribution of Cabinet shares “better” reflected the outcome of the June parliamentary elections.
Adwan said that the LF was open “to everyone without exception” and will support the Cabinet compromise, but will oppose any clause in the statement that does not reflect its principles.” – The Daily Star
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