Sfeir: U.N. Obliged to 'Restrain" Situation, Hizbullah is a 'Problem'

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Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir said Hizbullah is "a problem. The state cannot bear two armies because that leads to a substitute state in Lebanon," declaring that it is the United Nations "obligation to introduce restraints."
Nasrallah made the remark in an interview with the weekly al-Massira.

He sounded the alarm, declaring that "Syria's return to Lebanon is possible if its has (factions) that facilitate such a return … known tools open the gate for Syria that has the means to respond and avenge."

"The United Nations is obliged to introduce restraints if the situation remains loose. They might appoint a ruler" for Lebanon, Sfeir said.

He launched a vehement attack on "tools of foreign powers" without mentioning them by name, stressing that "they are known" and accused them of seeking to "fragment the nation. There is no president, parliament and government are absent, they neither want an army commander nor an army."

"It is obvious that they want to maintain the army, but stripped of any power on the terrain to set the stage for fragmenting the country," Sfeir added.

"If they changed their stand, Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman would be dropped as a consensus presidential candidate," he noted.

He was obviously referring to the Hizbullah-led opposition.

Sfeir added that the "problem is not restricted to the Christians. A side operates in line with the will of Iran or Syria and a side is linked to the west, especially France and the United States.

"Each side has its style of intervention. The west cares for style. Others interfere openly with money, influence and weapons."

He renewed his objection to the election of a president by simple majority.

Sfeir also denied reports that he intends to resign his post.

Beirut, 09 Feb 08, 10:52


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