Bou Habib lashes out at Mikati, rules out Israeli ground war

W460

Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib has lashed out at caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, accusing him of “encroaching” on his role as foreign minister through “his repeated attempts to usurp the ministry’s powers.”

“Mikati does not take into account that we are in a pluralistic country, and as a Christian I do not accept his behavior seeing as he is infringing on the most senior Christian post” in the state, Bou Habib added, in an interview on Tele Liban.

“The premier meets international envoys alone on purpose and even when he travels outside Lebanon he asks the (Lebanese) ambassadors in the visited countries to leave him alone after the memorial pictures,” Bou Habib lamented.

Separately, the minister ruled out “an Israeli ground war on Lebanon.”

Israel “knows that such a war would not be a walk in the park for it,” Bou Habib added, expecting “a long war of attrition through Israel’s drones.”

“I support (ex-)president Michel Aoun’s stance on the unity of arenas, but I’m dealing with the fait accompli,” Bou Habib said.

Aoun had recently said that he does not support Hezbollah’s involvement in the so-called unity of arenas strategy of the Iran-led axis in the region.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 3
Thumb i.report 14 March 2024, 15:20

Bou Habib's statements exhibit divisive sectarian rhetoric, undermine national unity, and downplay legitimate security concerns.

By focusing on internal political rivalries and dismissing external threats, he risks further destabilizing Lebanon and diverting attention from critical issues facing the country.

By drawing attention away from pressing issues such as national security and economic stability, politicians like Bou Habib seek to maintain their power and influence by keeping the population divided and distracted.

Such tactics not only endanger Lebanon's security and stability but also serve to perpetuate political deadlock and division within the Lebanese population.

Thumb chrisrushlau 14 March 2024, 16:52

Doesn't he implicitly endorse Hezbollah's military strength as well? "Not a walk in the park".

Thumb chrisrushlau 15 March 2024, 02:41

Racism is intentional stupidity.