Suleiman: Phalange's Reservation on Policy Statement Stems from its Keenness on the State

President Michel Suleiman said on Saturday that he understood the reasons why the Phalange Party expressed its reservation over the resistance clause in the newly-drafted government policy statement.

He said: “The party's reservation stems from its keenness on the state.”

He made his remarks before a delegation of students from the Phalange Party at the Baabda Palace.

“The Phalange Party took such a position out of its historic role in maintaining Lebanon's independence, defending its sovereignty, and supporting the presidency,” continued Suleiman.

The president called on the party “to maintain its national responsibility at cabinet and the national dialogue because it is necessary for cooperation” among the political powers.

He encouraged it to assert the authority of the state in all matters and in devising a national defense strategy.

The policy statement was approved late on Friday night after arduous talks between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over the contentious issue of the resistance and the role of the state in confronting Israel.

The three ministers of the Phalange Party and Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi voiced reservations however over the clause related to resistance against Israel.

"By the virtue of the state's responsibility to preserve Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the government stresses the state's duty and efforts to liberate the Shebaa Farms, the Kfarshouba Hills and the occupied part of Ghajar (village) through all legitimate means, while stressing the right of Lebanese citizens to resist Israeli occupation, repel its aggressions and regain the occupied land," the policy statement read.

Speaker Nabih Berri called parliament to convene on March 19 and 20 to discuss the statement and later subject cabinet to a vote of confidence.