Kataeb Objects Parliament Term Extension, Rejects Turning Arsal into 'Confrontation Zone' between Syria Rivals

The Kataeb Party on Thursday strongly opposed extending the parliament's term, rejecting also transforming the border region of Arsal into a zone of “confrontation” between supporters and opponents of the Syrian regime.

The Kataeb warned again on Thursday of “the repetitive postponement of parliamentary sessions dedicated for electing a new head of state,” the party's political bureau said in a statement after its weekly meeting.

"We call for taking a constitutional stance that secures quorum (at the parliament) and ends the presidential crisis,” the political bureau said, adding that a president who takes charge of national decisions and who places Lebanon on the “correct path” should be elected.

"Electing a president breaks the extension of the parliament's term,” the statement noted, remarking that the Kataeb party strongly opposes this extension.

The politburo's statement comes amid talks about extending the parliament's term once again amid the presidential vacuum.

In a separate matter, the Kataeb conferees rejected transforming Arsal “into a region of confrontation between supporters and opponents of the Syrian regime.”

They also “strongly” condemned raids carried out by Syrian militants “inside Lebanese territories,” demanding army troops and security forces "to do what is necessary to preserve the Lebanese people's security.”

Tension has recently resurfaced on the Lebanese-Syrian border near the Arsal plains, where clashes are ongoing between Hizbullah fighters and gunmen in the region.

Many Hizbullah fighters have recently died in the renewed clashes against Syrian rebels on several fighting fronts in al-Qalamoun villages, as the Syrian regime claims that it is bombing the Arsal plains “to prevent terrorists' infiltration.”

S.D.B.