Rather than threats of withdrawal, leaders need to stand together in national interest
This editorial was published in The Gulf News on 13/01/2011
- Lebanon's Prime Minister Sa'ad Hariri (right) meets with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in New York on January 8, 2011. (AP)
It would be a deadly sin if the Lebanese opposition withdrew from the government. Naturally, the government will fall as the opposition holds a third of the seats.
The opposition, led by Hezbollah, General Michel Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, claims that the majority, led by Prime Minister Sa'ad Hariri, was behind the collapse of the so-called Saudi-Syrian Settlement Package, which was supposed to address the issue of the United Nations Special Tribunal.
The panel, set up by the UN Security Council, is expected to soon issue a charge sheet against members of Hezbollah for the assassination of Sa'ad's father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Hezbollah, obviously the most powerful armed group in Lebanon, warned of "dire consequences" if its members are accused in the 2005 murder and called on the government to withdraw its support to the tribunal.
The majority has so far rejected the demand and both sides were counting on a Saudi-Syrian mediation effort to figure a way out of the dilemma. But reports say the Syrians have been told by Saudi officials that Riyadh will not be able to go ahead with the proposed settlement.
But is withdrawing the opposition ministers from the cabinet the rational answer? Certainly not. If Lebanon has ever needed a strong and united government to deal with the political and security challenges, it is today. Just imagine if the UN tribunal issued its charge sheet against Hezbollah and there was no government in place. What would happen?
The Lebanese factions need to calm down, refrain from provocative unilateral steps and give more time to mediation, also offered yesterday by Qatar and Turkey. And frankly, the people need their political leaders to focus on more pressing issues such as the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, which are fuelling social and political unrest in other countries. Lebanon needs consensus-oriented statesmen more than ever who can bridge the gap and bring the country together.
The panel, set up by the UN Security Council, is expected to soon issue a charge sheet against members of Hezbollah for the assassination of Sa'ad's father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Hezbollah, obviously the most powerful armed group in Lebanon, warned of "dire consequences" if its members are accused in the 2005 murder and called on the government to withdraw its support to the tribunal.
The majority has so far rejected the demand and both sides were counting on a Saudi-Syrian mediation effort to figure a way out of the dilemma. But reports say the Syrians have been told by Saudi officials that Riyadh will not be able to go ahead with the proposed settlement.
But is withdrawing the opposition ministers from the cabinet the rational answer? Certainly not. If Lebanon has ever needed a strong and united government to deal with the political and security challenges, it is today. Just imagine if the UN tribunal issued its charge sheet against Hezbollah and there was no government in place. What would happen?
The Lebanese factions need to calm down, refrain from provocative unilateral steps and give more time to mediation, also offered yesterday by Qatar and Turkey. And frankly, the people need their political leaders to focus on more pressing issues such as the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, which are fuelling social and political unrest in other countries. Lebanon needs consensus-oriented statesmen more than ever who can bridge the gap and bring the country together.
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