Suleiman Draws New 'Equation,' Balances between Baabda Declaration and National Pact
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
President Michel Suleiman said Friday that the land, people and common values formed the country's “permanent equation,” stressing that the Baabda Declaration was similar to the National Pact.
“The land, people and common values form the golden and permanent equation for the nation,” Suleiman said in a speech at the “My land: a promising future” conference held at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.
“The Baabda Declaration has become part of the nation's principles and similar to the National Pact,” he said.
The National Pact of 1943 is an agreement that laid the foundation of Lebanon as a multi-confessional state.
Under the Baabda Declaration, which was adopted in June 2012 during a national dialogue session headed by Suleiman, the rival March 8 and 14 camps agreed to keep Lebanon away from the policy of regional and international conflicts.
They also agreed to back the Lebanese army both financially and morally as the guarantor of civil peace and national unity.
Suleiman is insisting on making the Baabda Declaration the basis of the new government's policy statement. But the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance, including Speaker Nabih Berri, who is the head of the Amal movement, is holding onto the people-army-resistance equation.
The Declaration “transcends the policy statements of governments. Everyone will need it and seek to implement it,” the president said in his speech in a clear retort to Berri, who said in remarks published on Friday that he would “not give up or reach a settlement on any single letter of (the resistance) letters.”
Suleiman also urged the members of the committee drafting the policy statement not to hold onto “fixed equations that obstruct the approval” of the blueprint.
Suleiman called for a commitment to constitutional events such as holding the presidential and parliamentary elections on time.
He urged the new government of Prime Minister Tammam Salam to approve the new electoral draft-law.
Suleiman rejected terrorism and called on confronting arms proliferation.
The path towards arming the military began through the $3 billion Saudi grant and will continue through intentional conferences in France and Italy, he said.
28 February 2014, 13:14
28
Naharnet, why don't you publish more about the army and where the funds are and when they will be realized and how...etc...?? Did they get the funds ot not, if not, when? Info plz
28 February 2014, 13:45
49
God bless you Mr. President, you do us all proud, as long as you are around, as long as we Lebanese can hope. My only big worry as a citizen of this country is the thought that in 3 months time you will be leaving the presidency, making toe doors of Baabda open to monkeys, jackals, hyenas, wolves and rabid Dogs. Mr. President, I happen to be one of those who knows how many times they put you under the worst pressures any leader could face, I know how much they tried to sway you, yet all of them could not even touch a speck of dust from under your shoes. You are clean Sir, 101% clean, people who still have a head solidly anchored up their shoulders know this and this is why I say Sir, if a clown, or a person whom we know will sell Lebanon to the first bidder is about to try his luck, please Sir let's give him a solid boot up the butt. God bless you Mr. President we are proud of you.
28 February 2014, 14:29
06
Truth comes out again and again which group in the country continues to undermine the state and their refusal creates a reason for alQeada and their fanatics to come to the battle with car bombs.
28 February 2014, 14:47
64
few people supported Sleiman at the start of his term, but he did so much for lebanon stability that he deserves a second term...
28 February 2014, 16:23
05
@ cedre The president said repeatedly that he will not accept another term. He will leave as soon as his term is up. Sad because he is one of the very few clean and uncorrupted politicians Lebanon has. We need more like him. He got to the top yet he refused to bow to corruption and temptations. Lebanon will be lucky to have him for another term. As phoenix 1 said 101%clean indeed. Imagine what other politicians would have done with the 3 billions Saudi Arabia/Lebanese army gift.
28 February 2014, 17:21
72
elie if I'm not wrong he refused an term extension not a second term if he's chosen democratically.
28 February 2014, 18:26
11
@eli-g and cedre...I think but I am not sure that cedre is correct in that there is a distinction between an extension and a second term. I believe the extension violates the constitution and requires an amendment whereas a second term would be legal? I am asking because I really don't know. Does someone know the constitution enough to elaborate? Plus let's not forget that a former LAF general is not eligible to become president? Doesn't that require an amendment as well? I am against extension and all for a second term for this honorable man. Maybe the1phoenix can shed some light from his experience?
01 March 2014, 12:41
00
Cedre, in the Lebanese constitution, there's no second term, but like in any document, loopholes do exist thus making some room for an extension.
01 March 2014, 12:46
00
Bandoul thanks bro. To the best of my knowledge, we don't have a second term, but as I mentioned to Cedre, some parts of the constitution and the loopholes are there to make room for an extension, if in case La 7awla wala qouwwati we have no options other than the extension. As I see it? If the political wrangling isn't solved soon and if there is no clear solution to this issue, then I am one who will dearly wish and advise that Suleiman's term be extended by another 3 years. As things are right now with us Lebanese, it will be a nightmare if Lebanon comes to that stage where we have no president, in 2014 it will cost us dearly. So I am sure if we conduct a poll to see how many Lebanese share my views, I have little doubt that the majority of the Lebanese will want Suleiman to stay, till we begin to see solutions that is.
28 February 2014, 21:03
14
The President wants to unite Lebanon with a common shared interest instead of the divisive politics of the past. God bless and good luck!
01 March 2014, 12:54
20
Yalla, in a few months time, you will get confirmation that our old man Aoun, the rubber stamper for Hezbollah, the Syrian regime and Iran will never see the seat. Hezbollah, the Syrian regime and Iran will continue to see the road blocked for their unholy aims in Lebanon. In the beginning, they all scoffed at Suleiman when he was sworn into office, but Suleiman whom under Taef is working under greatly reduced powers, is still doing the job professionally, with a lot of dignity and honesty, and that alone is hampering the wishes of those whose biggest desire is to hegemonize and annex Lebanon for good. For Aoun, this will sound the death knell, so much the better, and good riddance to him too. If you don't mind brother, if you wish me to respect your leaders, you will also need to show some respect to a man we call President.
02 March 2014, 07:57
00
minibash, so are the koudama Syrian tools? Dr. Arreet 7akeh, the guy you once called a criminal, says they are. I really cannot wait for the BIGBASH to come back from Israel and straighten things up once and for all. How about you, minibash SIR?
01 March 2014, 16:36
00
The Army will get $3 billion worth of bows and arrows as israel will botch any attempt to get real weapons. Iran will sends weapons only to hizbollah while they sing we support our sisterly lebanon. The US will continue to sing we support you and turn around and block weapons to army. Syrian refugees will continue to pour in making lebanon permanent homeland while stupid hizbollah is helping Assad ethnic cleanse syria. Enjoy the refugees hizbollah. What do you think the refugees will do knowing hizbollah has blood on their hands..
