Suleiman Condemns Linking Cabinet to Presidential Vote: Why Can't Lebanese Have a Neutral Govt.?
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
President Michel Suleiman on Monday condemned attempts to link the cabinet formation process to the May presidential election, wondering why can't the Lebanese have a “neutral government” after 10 months of political vacuum.
“Should we fail to form an all-embracing political cabinet, don't people have the right to contribute to the formation of a neutral government? In the absence of consensus on an inclusive cabinet, do we have to stay without a cabinet?” Suleiman wondered in a televised speech he delivered at the Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture in Beirut.
“Is an agreement on a cabinet equivalent to national agreement? Don't the nonpartisan Lebanese have the right to contribute to the rise of the country and would these people undermine national unity?” the president added.
However, he pointed out that “the door of consultations is still open and we hope the PM-designate will reach a solution that can pull the country out of its constitutional crisis.”
The president noted that Lebanon is facing “several challenges, including the Syrian refugee crisis,” calling on the Lebanese to “intensify efforts to preserve security, confront terrorist operations, calm down the political rhetoric and close ranks, in line with the Baabda Declaration.”
Suleiman stressed that it is impossible to “fight unemployment and poverty and achieve prosperity” without “the formation of a cabinet that is capable of addressing people's affairs, overseeing the presidential vote and securing the election of a new parliament.”
“Have we acted with responsibility that respects the confidence placed in us by citizens? Do we realize that the human remains that fly in a certain blast might be those of a dear person or relative?” the president said.
“A cabinet that reassures investors must be formed, a new president must be elected and parliamentary elections must be held,” he stressed.
“We are performing our duties towards citizens. How can we be less keen on our country than the international community and the brotherly nations? Is it reasonable to say that the initiatives of the International Support Group and Saudi Arabia are aimed at extending the president's term or at forming a cabinet with a certain affiliation or structure?” added Suleiman.
He asked if the president's role was “limited to rejecting the line-ups that might be submitted by the PM-designate.”
“What is the maximum timeframe that the president has regarding postponement? Are you convinced that the formation of a new cabinet would have an effect on the presidential election? No, citizens know this and they know about the obstruction that happened in the past,” he said.
“I pledge to you that we will spare no effort to achieve prosperity for citizens and I hope people won't allow that their dreams be stolen by those who are seeking to drag them into strife and war,” the president added.
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06 January 2014, 15:47
Suleiman: I pledge to you that we will spare no effort to achieve prosperity for citizens and I hope people won't allow that their dreams be stolen by those who are seeking to drag them into strife and war.
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06 January 2014, 15:44
Suleiman: We believe that it is necessary to reach a solution to any maritime border dispute.
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06 January 2014, 15:41
Suleiman: The door of consultations is still open and we hope the PM-designate will reach a solution that can pull the country out of its constitutional crisis.
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06 January 2014, 15:41
Suleiman: Is the president's role limited to rejecting the line-ups that might be submitted by the PM-designate? What is the maximum timeframe that the president has regarding postponement? Are you convinced that the formation of a new cabinet would have an effect on the presidential election? No, citizens know this and they know about the obstruction that happened in the past.
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06 January 2014, 15:40
Suleiman: Should there be no agreement on an all-embracing government, can't the Lebanese contribute through a neutral cabinet?
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06 January 2014, 15:39
Suleiman: We are performing our duties towards citizens. How can we be less keen on our country than the international community and the brotherly nations? Is it reasonable to say that the initiatives of the International Support Group and Saudi Arabia are aimed at extending the president's term or at forming a cabinet with a certain affiliation or structure?
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06 January 2014, 15:38
Suleiman: A cabinet that reassures investors must be formed, a new president must be elected and parliamentary elections must be held.
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06 January 2014, 15:37
Suleiman: Have we acted with responsibility that respects the confidence placed in us by citizens? Do we realize that the human remains that fly in a certain blast might be those of a dear person or relative?
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06 January 2014, 15:37
President Michel Suleiman in a televised address from the Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture: We must calm down the political rhetoric in line with the Baabda Agreement.
06 January 2014, 18:58
1315
A7la shi, he can't expect people to vote for him anymore, not like before. The only thing keeping him on legacy, is his term. When that finished, it is bye bye.
06 January 2014, 19:36
1310
Is it not funny that president Sleiman started his presidency as one that is perceived to be pro m8 (and here I mean that Hizb since they are the one that drives their decisions). He is finishing his presidency as one that is acussed by this same team as being biased against it. This is not surprising. A president job is to protect Lebanon and its institutions. The Hizb and its actions are detrimental to these. So in the logic of the Hizb, a neutral government is biased, any call to abide by earlier agreements is treason. And if you do not do as they say, they threaten to bring the country down. A terrorist organization that praactices what it does best: terror but this time against the nation. t
06 January 2014, 19:44
912
translation: Any president and or government which does not bow down to the will of HA and accept its hegemony over the Lebanese is unacceptable and totally rejected. The impunity with which HA and their followers disregards the desire of the free Lebanese people to be governed without being held hostages at gunpoint is beyond belief.
06 January 2014, 20:39
118
FT - yes, there was a perception that he was especially that as head of the army at the time he refused to protect Beirut and the mount from Hizb invasion. In addition and until now, he is accused treason by lackeys of the syrian regime: that they (syrian regime) made him.
06 January 2014, 16:05
01
I wish The President have full power`s.So He can Fix The Problems.
06 January 2014, 16:39
1517
he is the best president we had since Chehab. I don't expect someone with a low intelligence such as yours to understand why but basically Suleiman represented the only bulwark against HA-induced isolation from the rest of the world. He did a hell of a job maintaining our relations with the Arab world and he will be missed.
06 January 2014, 16:39
1517
I wonder if a M8-leaning president was in power, whether he would be as willing as Suleiman to give the post up for elections instead of seeking an extension which he has international and local support for...
07 January 2014, 02:02
23
bani you have no idea how much that comment made me laugh hahahahaha
FT you just got punk'd
06 January 2014, 16:32
00
please Mr president can you explain to the Lebanese what is the role of the president after taef ?
06 January 2014, 16:35
1510
bost of the career ya karim. everyone knows that da7ye is the binnacle of freedom, indebendence, and cultures. from the black drabes that our womenz wears, to the zi3raan on every street corner.
06 January 2014, 16:56
1411
M8 dictionary:
Democracy = enforcing your will by maintaining a militia that out-guns the national military.
06 January 2014, 16:58
1213
You are more than welcome to move into Dahye. No one will limit your freedoms. In fact, you will probably get special treatment (and I'm not being sarcastic). Your lack of insight and your pure hate is obvious.
06 January 2014, 16:58
159
The Best president since 1943! God bless you Michel. Keep Syria and pro syrians away from our lives please.
06 January 2014, 17:46
718
right on the fact
Under Chamoun Lebanon gained prominence world wide and Lebanon was prosperous and democratic. You ask Chamoun's detractors they will say that Chamoun brought them prosperity and Lebanon was recognized worldwide as a beautiful country
unlike today
07 January 2014, 02:07
24
wherever you look, you will find the same names doing all that they can to destroy Lebanon: Berri, Aoun, Karami, Franjieh...il5
07 January 2014, 12:33
22
Fact, the best we had was Bachir Gemayel the 13th president of Lebanon, but we all know why they killed him just 22 days into his presidency. But in 22 days alone, Lebanon became the paradise of the honest, the respectful and hard working Lebanese person. In 70 years of independence, 22 days were the only real days Lebanon felt like a real country.
06 January 2014, 17:50
65
the roar
Like most of your comments you don't make sense you just comment to make yourself noticed or worse just for argument's sake
- How can we close the borders if HA is smuggling his weapons from Syria and HA men going back and forth fighting in Syria
-how can we hold democratic elections if M8 via Berry prevents parliament to meet?
- Oil & gas is on hold as HA wants it
- How do you stop refugees? do we have the resources?
also what's wrong if he had an eye surgery abroad/ forgive him for his crime
06 January 2014, 18:01
1110
so the president of the republic go ahead and approve a neutral government and the HA-Aoun-Baath-Iran alliance get pissed off! so what! Go for it Sulieman and show these subhuman their true colors! What could they possibly do? Bomb badb'da and blame it on tekfiris? Don't they get tired of the same game?
06 January 2014, 18:03
914
M11er, thank you, you said it all for me, The Silent Majority, the people who have chosen not to follow anyone affiliated wou bass. I know that I will displease some brothers here, but I'd better be honest about my views than just toe a line to please, yes Mr. President, go for it, there sure is a silent majority, and you know what Sir? It is growing from day to day. What have M8 and M14 done but propagate hatred to levels seen like never before? What have they done but deepen a rift that was already to profound to surmount? Mr. President, we are somehow like you, being right there in the middle makes us take a lot of fire, most of which friendly ones be it 8 or 14, just because we do not toe, we see the worst of it all. Just keep to your line Sir, and trust me, there are a lot more people on your side, but you know what Sir? Just like you, we have no party, and we belong to NO party, but anyway, Lebanon will more than do for us.
06 January 2014, 19:21
812
I love you my brother Roar, may peace come to the nation and one fine day we're able to sit and enjoy each others company. FT, I said it all, no party affiliation, just so many average people like me going about their work. Dayem, Dayem to you, Roar and all the forum members and readership.
06 January 2014, 18:05
126
ha ha ha the roar
I love your reply keep at it kid keep displaying your non sense
06 January 2014, 18:06
45
What you heard from the President is the sound that is made when one speaks with no power to bring about that which is spoken. I.e., Hot Air blowing.
What is not clear is whether the President and the PM-Designate choose to remain paralyzed in inaction out of fear of the consequences of their taking action contrary to Hezbollah's agenda or wishes, or whether they have no power at all to even make the choice.
If the former, then an act of courage can make a difference; if the latter, then this is just so much hot air.
07 January 2014, 02:22
23
as always, it is a bit of both.
HA can and is willing to take military action against the Lebanese if it sees that its vital interests are in danger. however, this is not 2008 and military action by HA will lead to a civil war. both sides are playing chicken. our one hope is that Assad falls very soon and they will be forced to back down and accept compromise. This is the geo-political reality.
07 January 2014, 12:38
10
Beiruti, let us do this if we want our country to be saved permanently: Let us all go and ask for an annulment of that part of the Taef Accord whereby it implicitly reduces the powers of the Presidency, let its powers be returned entirely and whole, then let us see what a good president can do and will do. Suleiman as many have expressed here, is the very best we've had in a long time, this man does not bow to any pressure, he is a real patriot, that simple. The main problem is not the good president we have, on his own he is already doing miracles for this country, the problem is that utterly useless Taef accord, or at least that part I mentioned.
06 January 2014, 18:09
146
M8 certainly does not want a "neutral gvt" as it is an M14 proposition and a presidential one...
they prefer to lead the country to chaos rather than not sitting in the cabinet. their only care is to give political cover to hezbis...
but lebanon? the least of their concerns, their concerns are to maintain the baath regime to protect their privileges... period.
06 January 2014, 19:51
1013
translation: Any president and or government which does not bow down to the will of HA and accept its hegemony over the Lebanese is unacceptable and totally rejected. The impunity with which HA and their followers disregards the desire of the free Lebanese people to be governed without being held hostages at gunpoint is beyond belief.
06 January 2014, 19:58
00
Perhaps because they learned the very bad lesson of having a good-for-nothing president-by-parachute who calls himself neutral when in fact he is in reverse at full speed?
06 January 2014, 21:12
108
leb_roar: how did you manage to get stuck in a washing machine????
06 January 2014, 22:59
87
Why are all the m8 monkeys so sad? .. Why do they love nasrallah more than our president ?
For once the president isn't a Syrian bootlicking monkey and they don't like it... Btw those fools saying he will extend his term.. He has stated he won't and I believe him... Didn't m8 and m14 agree together to extend theirs? Dumb fools ...look at urself before throwing stones
07 January 2014, 00:10
57
M11er
they will give a vote of confidence to Marwan charbel and Mansour... both lame
07 January 2014, 00:19
63
The truth is shias/Iranians/Syrians/alawites are killing the sunni before dealing with us. We see what they are capable of and they need 2 become our top priority issue. Iraq is a Shiite majority country and was expunged of it Christians. Assad used the ISIS mercenaries 2 terrorize iraq as of 2003 because Christians were Saddam's protégés. Assad bomb Lebanese Christians so many times. He'll do it again with hizballah help.
07 January 2014, 02:05
33
it is old news that Aouni's are traitors to their own religion considering the persecution of the Iranian regime towards its own Christians, as well as the treatment of the Christians in Lebanon under the Syrian regime. They know this very well and this is why they will never reply to your post slash.
07 January 2014, 02:06
33
They have forsaken Jesus for their own messiah: Judas Aoun the destroyer of the Christian power in Lebanon and the traitor to the Lebanese state.
07 January 2014, 02:12
22
idiot roar Aoun destroyed the Christians because he wanted the LF to submit to his rule, opting to destroy east beirut instead of focusing on the real enemies. idiot roar as for your comment about Geagea fighting against Bachir I have to ask where you learned about this was it Qom University of Iran?
07 January 2014, 02:16
22
it's funny watching the_scum act like a tough guy online when he spent his whole life in australia and would probably get his ass beat walking around in a bad neighborhood of beirut...i wonder how fast this little inteya's political positions would shift if he ever got robbed by hezbo thugs.
07 January 2014, 02:19
22
i think it is time we stopped replying to this human waste since he has shown himself either to be a 12 year old kid or an aussie meth addict whose father worships aoun and tells him stories about how the mighty 9al3a is a great hero.
07 January 2014, 02:27
23
roar you have to be the biggest imbecile posting on this website, i swear to god. and that is a freaking accomplishment considering sagh and FT post here. listen kiddo it is obvious by now that you have never stepped one foot into lebanon and don't know squat about it...there are tons of unaffiliated successful people who can run the ministries and run them better than M8 or M14 ever could...run along now little child.
07 January 2014, 02:29
13
FarsiThrower it is Aoun and his Feeble Pathetic Movement that made sure Baroud was kept out...little farsi liar.
07 January 2014, 04:08
01
Form a neutral government and move the country beyond this sectarian BS. M8 and M14 are just looking after their own interests. They excel at empty promises and rhetoric about a strong central government, but they both failed to fund and to secure funding for the Lebanese army. It's time to move beyond these failed parties. Lebanese people deserve better. They deserve a strong economy and it requires a government that's willing to distance Lebanon from regional conflicts, secure the border, enforce the rule of law across the country.
07 January 2014, 12:13
10
(1). Hi M11er, thanks bro, but you're giving me a lot more than I deserve. If for anything, people like me, yes, you're right by calling me a centrist and Lebanon lover, however people like me will remain around to keep as best as we could to warn everyone of what could happen if we do not watch over this beautiful country of ours. Of course, we can only advice and hope people will heed. Now to Demianos Khattar, God I am so happy that you know so much of this noble professional gentleman, indeed, he is a true gentleman, a man humble and modest whose integrity and professionalism are unimpeachable. But you see brother, people like Demianos, even though would be real savior to our country, still that doesn't hide the fact that many crooks are afraid of him and for many reasons. A man like Demianos is 100% honest, so to buy a man like him is IMPOSSIBLE.
07 January 2014, 12:17
10
(2). Then his professionalism and impartiality are known to everyone, so if this man is appointed president, he will work just as hard as president Suleiman, but those who know Demianos will also tell you that this man is a though one who cannot be swayed from his solid principle. Demianos has his technocratic advantage up his sleeve, thus his elucidation and capacity to make the best decisions when it comes to doing so. So, in no time Demianos will prove to everyone that Lebanon can be repaired in no time and that alone will prove to all and sundry, the miserable failings of those who still cling to the now defunct M alliances, be it 8 or 14.
07 January 2014, 12:22
01
Hi Everyone,
Happy new year to all.
“Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox, whose philosopher is a juggler, and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking. Pity the nation that welcomes its new ruler with trumpetings, and farewells him with hootings, only to welcome another ruler with trumpetings again. Pity the nation whose sages are dumb with years and whose strong men are yet in the cradle. Pity the nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation.” Kahlil Gibran
07 January 2014, 12:22
10
(3). Ironically, most media, TVs in particular do not like to give this gentleman any air time, but surprisingly NBN is one of those rare ones airtime. When Demianos speaks, it is balsam to our hearts, a person can only sit and listen, just like we did when Bachir used to speak, one could never have enough. In this case I am one who is grateful to NBN for allowing this man to be heard. Then about Baroud, he too is another great person whose credentials are beyond reproach, but as I mentioned earlier, the political Mafia don't like good honest folks, and they will do all they can to keep them under their thumb. Fortunately, the world is now beginning to notice, that alone on its own merit is already a good start for a nation and a people that have lived just for too long under a masquerade and charade.
07 January 2014, 12:28
20
BJ, your argument is one that has to be taken in consideration, but you see, this is the object of the whole thing, because what is being termed as a cabinet of national unity, in the Lebanese sense of the word remains a cabinet of national discord, the internecine push and pull inside such cabinets have amply proven their crippling effects. Now the plunge of a neutral cabinet of technocrats must be taken, the risks are there that's for sure, but it's worth taken nevertheless. We've played it "safe" before and look what that got us. Man landed on the moon with technology many times less powerful than your average Nokia phone, yet man landed, can't we Lebanese be as bold for once?
