Naharnet

Mustaqbal Urges Full Commitment to State Institutions: Presidential Polls a Priority

Al-Mustaqbal bloc on Tuesday reiterated calls for electing a new head of state “to avoid security repercussions that presidential vacuum might draw.”

Al-Mustaqbal MPs also stressed again on the necessity to “fully commit” to the state and its security institutions.

"The priority must be working on electing a president to avoid the security and constitutional repercussions that might result from holding parliamentary polls before the presidential vote,” MP Assem Araji said after the bloc's weekly meeting at the Center House.

He continued: “Holding the presidential juncture is a national responsibility and it prevents pushing Lebanon towards institutional vacuum... All political groups are responsible (for holding the polls).”

The MPs considered that Lebanon is going through “tough days” because of urgent constitutional junctures, “on top of them the presidential vote and then the parliamentary elections,” and because of the turmoil in neighboring Syria and Iraq.

"National duty requires all political factions, without any exception, to hold the constitutional junctures to preserve the work of state bodies and their harmony,” the MPs repeated.

The conferees also commented on the clashes between army troops and foreign jihadist gunmen in the northeastern border town of Arsal earlier this month.

"After the distressing events ended and the people of Arsal returned to their homes, and after the army seized control of the town's security, we call for drawing lessons from this experience,” they said.

The al-Mustaqbal MPs went on to call for supporting a “strong and fair state and strengthening its institutions.”

They continued: “We call for supporting and arming the military institution and security bodies to enable them to play their role particularly in this critical stage, and to fight terrorism and terrorists...”

The MPs noted that supporting the army is now possible, thanks to the “unprecedented” Saudi grants.

In a related matter, the bloc's statement urged “intensive and serious work” to release the kidnapped Lebanese soldiers, who are held captive by militants who fought in the Arsal clashes.

"Lebanon and the region were hit by a terrorist wave... and this was worsened with Hizbullah's participation in the Syrian war and its siding with the oppressive (Syrian) regime. This has dangerous consequences on Lebanon and the Lebanese people's relation with the Arab world.”

The only solution is holding onto the state and its institutions, moderation and strengthening religious coexistence, the bloc declared.

On the arrest of Hussein al-Hussein, the operator of the Free Sunnis of Baalbek Brigade Twitter account, the conferees called for uncovering the party behind the detainee, noting that “he admitted he was a member of Hizbullah.”

S.D.B.


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