March 14: Hizbullah's War in Syria Part of its Agenda to Empty Lebanese State of its Institutions

The March 14 General Secretariat condemned on Wednesday Hizbullah's fighting Syria, linking its involvement to the eruption of clashes in the northern city of Tripoli.

It said in a statement after its weekly meeting: “Hizbullah's unjustified war is part of its agenda to empty the Lebanese state of its institutions.”

“The war is targeted against the state and the will of the people,” it declared.

On the Tripoli clashes, the general secretariat remarked: “The residents of the city should not ignore the fact that the infighting between civil groups has long been a plan of the Syrian regime.”

The clashes in Tripoli broke out over the weekend.

They have taken place mainly between the rival neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh, which backs the Syrian revolt, and Jabal Mohsen, which supports the Syrian regime.

Twelve people were killed and at least 100 were wounded since the clashes erupted on Sunday.

Commenting on the ongoing dispute over the parliamentary electoral law, the March 14 general secretariat urged lawmakers, especially those of the alliance, to pressure Speaker Nabih Berri to call parliament to session in order for them to vote on a law that will help achieve the interests of the people.

“Respecting constitutional deadlines and electoral requirements will remain at the heart of our political practices and it would therefore be unacceptable to abandon them” given the democratic changes in the region, it added.

The political powers have so far failed to agree on a new electoral law, which is threatening to postpone the elections that are set for June 16.

Speaker Nabih Berri is holding consultations with political foes away from media spotlight as a last attempt for reaching common ground over a new electoral law before resorting to the extension of the parliament's mandate.

Addressing the efforts to form a new government, the general secretariat encouraged Premier-designate Tammam Salam to go ahead and form a capable cabinet that would be able to separate the developments in Syria from the local Lebanese scene.

“We are in need of a national government that would put an end to the use of Lebanon as a base to support the Syrian regime,” it demanded.

On this note, it urged President Michel Suleiman to send a clear message to parliament to demand that all lawmakers, without exception, keep Lebanon away from the Syrian conflict.

In addition, it renewed its demand to the caretaker government to order to the deployment of the Lebanese army along the Lebanese-Syrian border with the support of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolution 1701.

It also demanded that a message be sent to the Arab League and U.N., explaining that Lebanon is “the victim of regional Iranian policies.”

These powers should therefore assume their responsibilities and protect Lebanon against these policies, it said.

“The Arab and international circles' ignoring of Lebanon is tantamount to the abandonment of a country that gave the world numerous examples of coexistence,” continued the statement.