Hajj Hassan Says 'Army, People, Resistance' are Lebanon's Elements of Strength

Caretaker Industry Minister Hussein al-Hajj Hassan of Hizbullah hinted Sunday that his party might insist on the inclusion of the controversial “army-people-resistance equation” in the policy statement of the new government.

“The next government has key tasks and missions represented in continuing to preserve Lebanon's strength that lies in its people, army and resistance in the face of the Zionist enemy and the takfiri scheme,” Hajj Hassan said.

Lebanese Forces bloc MP Antoine Zahra announced Wednesday that the LF would “voice reservations” should the policy statement of the new government include the controversial “army-people-resistance” equation, describing it as outdated.

Hizbullah's Loyalty to Resistance bloc snapped back, calling for preserving “the elements of strength represented in the army, the people and the resistance” in order to “continue the liberation of the rest of the occupied Lebanese land, protect the country and preserve its national sovereignty.”

The so-called “army-people-resistance equation” had stirred controversy during the drafting of the policy statement of Tammam Salam's government and it might spark new controversy after the formation of the new government.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri was on Thursday named Prime Minister-designate after Michel Aoun was elected Lebanon's president on Monday in the wake of a key endorsement from Hariri.

In a sign that Hariri's task ahead might not be easy, Hizbullah's MPs declined to endorse him for the prime minister post, even though his nomination was all-but-assured.

Hariri is likely to struggle with his government's policy statement, which will have to make reference to Israel, as well as the war in Syria, both potential flashpoints with Hizbullah.

The process of forming a government could take months, with horsetrading likely to revolve around the distribution of key posts like the interior, defense and energy ministries.