March 14 Criticizes Suleiman's Proposal to Place Hizbullah Arsenal under Army Command as Vague
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
President Michel Suleiman's national defense strategy proposal allows Hizbullah to keep its weapons but place them under the command of the Lebanese army, a vision that has drawn the criticism of the March 14 opposition alliance, media reports said Friday.
The arms of the resistance would be used by the state until the army is well equipped to take over all defense responsibilities, Suleiman told rival Lebanese leaders during a national dialogue session held at Baabda Palace on Thursday.
But the blueprint wasn't welcomed by the opposition coalition. Deputy Speaker Farid Makari told Suleiman during the session that his vision doesn’t give clear answers on whether Hizbullah's arms will remain an independent entity that work under the command of the state or be handed over to the state.
Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader Fouad Saniora also told the conferees that “the state should assume the command of the arms. Full stop.”
March 14 general-secretariat coordinator Fares Soaid told An Nahar newspaper on Friday that the only authority should be the Constitution that emanates from the Taef Accord.
Suleiman's blueprint contradicts with the Constitution which does not recognize the resistance, he said.
“The Constitution is clear. The state and its institutions have the sole responsibility to defend Lebanon,” Soaid told the daily.
On the other hand, if Suleiman's attempt “is a first step toward the full implementation of the Constitution, then we consider it the start of the right track,” he said.
Suleiman's blueprint further calls for forcing Israel to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and for taking all necessary steps to liberate Lebanese territories occupied by the Jewish state.
But Soaid said the liberation of the territories should first come by Syria's recognition that the lands belong to Lebanon following the demarcation of the common border.
“That's why there is no further need to overburden Lebanon with the recognition of the resistance,” he said.
We reject the Lebanese government’s policy statement that gives the right of "Lebanon, its government, its people, its army and its resistance" to liberate all Lebanese territory, Soaid added.
21 September 2012, 05:43
29
What a joke Mr President,we dont Hezb Iran weapons they can stick them where the sun dont shine.
21 September 2012, 06:55
09
Relax guys, complete disarmament is not gonna happen overnight and we all know it. At least Suleiman is on to something here. Let's just wait and see.
21 September 2012, 07:28
08
Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader Fouad Saniora also told the conferees that “the state should assume the command of the arms. Full stop.”
That's the end result no matter what. It's just not going to happen day one, but will come slowly no doubt.
The majority of the Lebanese reject and will continue to reject living in a lawless land forever - Hizb knows it and we know it.
Extortion of arms works for a while but then it loses its power!
21 September 2012, 08:46
110
All weapons must be turned over to the Lebanese Army. Then send all HA members to Dahyeh, Nabatieh and Baalbek to collect all the past due electric bills from their "families and friends".
I would say this is a win-win solution.
Yalla let's not waste any more time...
21 September 2012, 09:59
25
Careful now, if hezbollah accepts to give their weapons to the army, they will also ask for the privilege to choose the Army commander in chief, and could therefore have control over the entire army... the biggest heist ever!
21 September 2012, 14:24
02
You have that one pegged right on patriot! These scums may be able to brainwash the likes of schizo Farsi BSthrower but to the mass, they are only insulting our intelligence!
21 September 2012, 16:29
03
FT, have you asked yourself lately why it is the army is now able to arrest criminals? Aren't we hearing that new term, No Political Cover given? Since when did HA accept to even discuss the idea of weapons? Why now? What is it that is leading HA to talk of its weapons? Was it not the same proposal that was tabled years ago, that the army be the sole caretaker and repository of these weapons? What did HA do at the time? Why now? Would it by any chance be a case where HA is trying to bid for time, or is HA in more trouble than we may know? The only answer I personally derive from it all is that we shall only know later, later on, not now.
21 September 2012, 18:14
01
Dont worry thepatriot we have Aoun to defend the christians posts as he did in the past ;)
22 September 2012, 16:30
00
"judge" lol.
Get back in your cave FT, see no evil, hear no evil and be happy ever after :)
21 September 2012, 10:20
25
thepatriot well said buddy .I wouldnt trust Hezb Iran as far as I can throw them ,you never know may be Hasan for President..
21 September 2012, 16:35
03
By the way, the state conjointly must discuss too, the control of all weapons from the Palestinians and allow the army to enter all the camps. The Cairo Treaty, that very murderous treaty, must be scrapped altogether. Removing the weapons of Hezbollah alone is a risky business in my opinion, the weapons of the Palestinians must be removed even before those of HA. If we see the weapons of HA as a threat and yes they are a threat, then how much more are those of the Palestinians? First the foreigners, then the Lebanese.
22 September 2012, 11:50
01
How can a responsible Government allow camps of foreigners to be armed to the teeth?
Why do they still use the term "Palestinian Refugees". The only true refugees are those that left their homes across the border in 1948 (and I'm sure that there areno many of them left) at the behest of the Arab leadership, promising them to return within a month after the destruction of Israel. Anyone born after that date, in the camps, is not a refugee, but simply a Palestinian born in Lebanon.
22 September 2012, 22:20
00
If they arE not refugees because they are born in Lebanon, how about giving them there rights and stop treating them like fifth class citizens, some of you Lebanese like to blame all your problems on others,
22 September 2012, 22:16
00
In your dreams, why are Palestinian going to give-up there arms, there the only ones who can actually put up aright against hezbollah , Hezbollah knows who poses a threat to them and it sure isn't al mustaqbal boys, hey by the way, every different religious group has arms in Lebanon, the Druze killed so many of you Christians, and you all fought each other and fought us palestinians, why should we give up our arms and you allowed and all others still have arms to defend themselves, we have the right to defend ourselves
