Naharnet Newsdesk - Hariri Says Street Protests are Still a Possibility if Dialogue Fails to Remove Lahoud

			Welcome
English

Lebanon

Hariri Says Street Protests are Still a Possibility if Dialogue Fails to Remove Lahoud

Saad Hariri has said that if Lebanon's presidential crisis is not solved through dialogue then removing President Emile Lahoud through mass protests is still a possibility.
The parliamentary majority leader told al Jazeera television network that Lahoud is taking advantage of the differences that have emerged at national dialogue talks between the country's top political leaders.

"He is taking advantage of the differences between the participants in the national dialogue meeting. However, I believe the issue will be solved within a month," Hariri said.

"If the presidential crisis is not solved, then the option of the street (protests) will be considered," he warned.

Participants at the dialogue talks have reached a deadlock with regards to ending Lahoud's extended term. They have set the end of April as a deadline to resolve this issue.

The anti-Syria parliamentary majority is determined to oust Lahoud, a close Damascus ally. However, in order to do so it needs the backing of other groups including Hizbullah and Gen. Michel Aoun who are set on realizing some demands of their own before lending their support on this issue.

Relations between Aoun, a presidential aspirant and Hariri and his allies in the anti-Syria March 14 camp have been strained since the former has moved closer to the pro-Syrian Hizbullah with whom he signed a cooperation agreement.

Hariri did not answer a question about whether he would back Aoun for the top executive post. Instead he said he would not accept any president "who would solely represent his religious group." He added that the head of state "should be for all Lebanese."

Hariri said if Syria accepted to demarcate the border with Lebanon and define the identity of the Shabaa Farms then Lebanon would have a stronger case as Israel would be urged to withdraw from the disputed region according to two U.N. Security Council resolutions.

The U.N. says the farms that are on the border between Lebanon, Syria and Israel are within Syrian territory. Therefore it says that resolution 425 that urges Israel to withdraw from Lebanon was fully implemented when the Jewish State pulled out of the south in 2000.

However, Beirut and Damascus argue that the area belongs to Lebanon.

The U.N. and Lebanese politicians at the dialogue talks are now urging Syria to define its border with Lebanon and sign a document that confirms the Lebanese identity of the Shabaa Farms.

"We will then have two resolutions: 425 and 1559 that demand Israel's withdrawal from the farms," Hariri said.

Resolution 1559 calls for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Lebanon, the disarmament of all armed groups and free and fair presidential elections in the country.

Hariri urged Lebanese leaders to forget their personal and party interests and think about their country first.

"Then the solution will be possible," he said.

Beirut, 30 Mar 06, 10:41


Your Comments


You Make the News

Cast Your Comments on this Article
View & Recommend Readers' Comments

Other Headlines

Khalife Clarifies Previous Statement: Ethiopian Plane 'Explosion' Not Necessarily Sabotage Act

Separate St. Maroun Celebrations in Beirut and Brad, Sfeir Says Maronite Church Keen on Coexistence

Spanish King Inspects U.N. Troops in South Lebanon

Jumblat Expresses Regret at 'Offensive Words' against Syrian People, Leadership

Hariri Convinced with Syrian Clarifications on Assad's Remarks

Struger: The Situation is Calm, All Sides Cooperating with UNIFIL

Murr Kicks of Talks with U.S. Officials

Army Arrests Majzoub's Uncle

Suleiman to Spain's King: Lebanon, UNIFIL Facing Dangerous Israeli Threats

Saudi Government Urges International Response to Israeli Threats Against Lebanon, Syria

U.S. Congressman Involved in Deployment of U.S. Marines in Beirut Dies

Phalange Party: Assad's Remarks 'a Second Message' after Abu Moussa's

Jumblat: Leave the Issue of Feb. 14 Rally Participation to Last Minute

Sfeir in Lent Message: Maronite Presence is Based on Covenant, We Ask for No One's Guarantees

Quarrel at Manara Fishermen Port: Mashnouq Denies Being Beaten, Aridi Declines to Comment

Recovered Black Box Could Tell Story of Ethiopian Plane Crash

Assad to Berri: Syria will Support Lebanon if Israel Attacks

Black Box Retrieved 14 Days after Ethiopian Plane Crash

Filipina House Worker Murders Employer's Sister with Kitchen Knife

Rifi in Damascus as March 14 Adapts to New Phase

Assad to Berri: We Support Lebanon and Its Stability

Aoun: Lebanese Refugees in Israel is a Pressing Issue, Not All of Them are Spies

Survey: Mixed View of Hizbullah in Muslim Countries

Western Diplomat Rules Out Israeli War on Lebanon

Mustaqbal Doubts Authenticity of Remarks Attributed to Assad, Hariri Calls Assad

Aridi: Black Boxes Located under the Ethiopian Plane's Tail

European Official: Lebanon is Safe from Israeli Attacks during Next 3 Months

Sfeir Sends Jumblat Message

Qassem Rules Out War but Says Hizbullah Should be Ready

Jumblat Concerned over New Israeli War, Describes Situation as Madness

Hizbullah Cadres on Alert

U.S. Concern over Alleged Arms Smuggling, Repetition of 2006 Scenario

Suleiman Consulting with Officials on Reviving National Dialogue

International Review of UNIFIL Structure Amid Denial to Downsize it

Gilad: Israel's Anti-Missile System to Remain on Lebanon's Front

Jumblat Snaps Back at Lieberman: We Are with Syrian People, Leadership Above All Else

Sfeir: Possibilities of War Exist as Long as Hizbullah Wants to Play State Role

Cassese: Hariri Case Highly Complex

Suleiman: Lebanese Democratic System Among the Best in the World

Interior Ministry, USAID Sign MOU on Technical Support for Municipal Elections

Wahab Accuses Arslan of Murder Attempt, Tells Him Gone is Era of Dinosaurs

Army, Lebanese Forces at Loggerheads Over Alleged Torture of Minor

Geagea: March 14 will Carry On until Cedar Revolution Goals are Achieved

Libya Expects Suleiman to Participate in Arab Summit Despite Shiite Ire

Moussa: Fragile Mideast Situation Could Reflect on Lebanon

Agreement to Stop News Leaks on Dar al-Fatwa

Assad: Civil War in Lebanon Could Start in Days unless They Change the Whole System

Names of Lebanese Passengers Released from Plane Crash


Other Categories

Editorials
SpecialReports
Middle East
The World
Interview
Away From Politics
Lebanon Business
World Business
Culture
Lebanon Sports
World Sports
Technology
Health
Fringe


Comments

Please wait while we load the comments

Click to Comment
Recommend Readers' Comments to Promote Their Views