Charbel Urges All Sides to Commit to Baabda Declaration to Preserve Civil Peace
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel has said that Lebanon's civil peace requires that rival parties remain committed to the so-called Baabda Declaration and engage in dialogue.
“Lebanon's highest interest, the preservation of civil peace and the distancing of Lebanon from the negative repercussions of the events surrounding it require that all sides commit to the Baabda Declaration and go ahead with dialogue,” Charbel said during his visit to Saudi Arabia where he attended the meeting of Arab Interior Ministers.
The rival leaders agreed in June last year during their first national dialogue session in over 18 months to keep Lebanon away from the policy of regional and international conflicts and spare it the negative repercussions of regional tensions.
But the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence chief Wissam al-Hassan in October led to the suspension of the all-party talks over the refusal of the March 14 opposition to sit at the same dialogue table with Hizbullah.
“The resolution of security problems amid the deep division requires wisdom to prevent the country from sliding” to the unknown, Charbel said.
He praised security forces for overcoming several obstacles and “achieving the required results despite the delicate situation in the country.”
The minister spoke at a dinner banquet organized on Wednesday by the Lebanese labor and investment council in his honor and the delegation accompanying him.
During his speech, the minister hailed the role played by Lebanese expatriates worldwide, saying they are “the backbone of the Lebanese economy.”
The Lebanese residing in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and mainly Saudi Arabia are “playing an active role in encouraging their officials to support Lebanese state institutions and luring investments and deposits to the Central Bank,” he said.
Charbel also thanked Saudi King Abdullah and the rest of the Gulf leaders for welcoming the Lebanese in their countries and for supporting Lebanon's unity and stability.
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