Mustaqbal Says Dialogue Must be Accompanied by 'Practical Steps' to End 'Violations'
Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc stressed Tuesday that the dialogue that started with Hizbullah must be “accompanied by practical steps on the ground,” hoping the presidential void will end soon.
In a statement issued after its weekly meeting, the bloc said “dialogue must be accompanied with practical steps on the ground that would end violations against the law, the state's sovereignty and the dignity of citizens,” adding that such a move “would reinforce trust among the Lebanese.”
The bloc clarified that these practical steps must “set the Lebanese foundations that are based on clinging to coexistence in the country.”
Accordingly, Mustaqbal stressed that “the only way for salvation from all the current problems is through dialogue.”
As for the protracting presidential vacuum, the bloc called on those “obstructing” the vote to “elect a new president for the country … to restore balance and regularity at the constitutional institutions.”
Regarding border control, the bloc stated that “it is the responsibility of the Lebanese army exclusively.”
"When needed, the Lebanese government can ask for UNIFIL's assistance as mentioned in the (U.N. Security Council) Resolution 1701,” the bloc pointed out.
Mustaqbal also supported the “procedures by the army to protect the Lebanese borderline and civil peace in Arsal,” asking for “facilitating things for the residents of Arsal, so that they can resume their daily work, and to boost confidence between them and the military institution.”
On Saturday, the army announced that as of January 1, it will not allow any Lebanese or Syrian citizen to enter Arsal through the Wadi Hmeid checkpoint without prior permission from the army's intelligence directorate.
The army's decision was met by dismay by residents of Arsal, who staged several protests against the newly-introduced measures.
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