Kataeb Lauds Govt. 'Support for Arabs' on Yemen, Warns of 'Dangerous Developments'

The Kataeb Party on Monday voiced support for the Lebanese government's stance regarding the latest Arab developments, urging domestic "immunity" in the face of the possible "dangerous" repercussions that might result from the Yemeni conflict.

“The dangerous developments in Yemen reflect a heated regional escalation that threatens to trigger an unprecedented war in the region,” the party said in a statement issued after the weekly meeting of its political bureau.

“The Kataeb Party backs the Lebanese government's official stance that is supportive of the Arab position on Yemen's events and its commitment to the Baabda Declaration,” the party added.

Last week, Saudi Arabia launched military operation Firmness Storm to combat the growing influence of the Iranian-backed Shiite Huthi movement in Yemen. It has launched airstrikes in the country, backed by several Arab and Muslim countries.

An Arab League summit declared over the weekend that the operation will continue until legitimacy is restored to Yemen through the reinstatement of toppled President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi.

During the summit, Prime Minister Tammam Salam stressed keenness on “supporting legitimacy in Yemen and any Arab stance that preserves Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

In its statement on Monday, Kataeb called on all Lebanese parties to focus on Lebanon's affairs and “boost domestic immunity,” warning that “the coming days and regional events are very dangerous.”

Turning to the continued presidential vacuum, the party reiterated that the issue must be given the priority.

It called for resorting to the Constitution, “which considers the parliament an electoral body in the absence of a president.”

Citing the beginning of the new legislative session, Kataeb called for dedicating all efforts to “resolving the obstacles that are impeding the election” and for “ending bickering on legislation.”

Y.R.

M.T.