Saniora Hints 'Fighters' Should Not Be Part of New Cabinet

Al-Mustaqbal bloc leader Fouad Saniora called on Monday for the formation of a government of “peaceful” individuals and not “fighters,” and rejected the involvement of Hizbullah in the Syrian war.

“We are keen on exerting every effort to form the new cabinet of peaceful individuals and not fighters,” Saniora said during a ceremony at the Municipality of Sidon.

“Neither Hizbullah nor any other party should participate in the ongoing fighting in Syria,” he said.

The MP also rejected shoving Lebanon and the Lebanese into the region's conflicts and “fake battles.”

Hizbullah's involvement in the Syrian war increased in mid-May when regime troops launched an assault on the rebel-held town of Qusayr that lies near Lebanon's northeastern border.

Hizbullah members have been fighting alongside the troops loyal to President Bashar Assad to take over control of the town.

“We hold onto coexistence. That's why we reject attempts to turn Lebanon into a battleground,” Saniora said.

He called for the adoption of a new modern electoral law, saying the security incidents rocking the country had compelled his bloc to approve the extension of parliament's mandate.

Lawmakers extended on Friday the legislature's term for 17 months after the rival parties failed to agree on a new law and following fears that the deteriorating security situation would prevent holding the polls based on the 1960 law.

“We hadn't planned for parliament's term extension … which goes against democracy but we are determined to produce a new electoral law,” Saniora said.

He also rejected the recent assassination attempt against Quds Mosque Imam in Sidon Sheikh Maher Hammoud.

The security agencies should exert efforts to find the assailants who opened fire on him, he said.