Miqati Hints He May Quit: Mustaqbal Rally May Not Be Innocent
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Prime Minister Najib Miqati hinted Thursday that he might step down if his government failed to pay its 49 percent annual share of funds to the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which is probing the 2005 assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri.
“I will take a (proper) stance should the government fail to finance the STL but I hope things will not reach the extent of submitting my resignation,” Miqati said in an interview on LBC television.
“STL President David Baragwanath told me that we should pay the STL funds in December at the latest,” the PM said.
“Lebanon is committed to the international resolutions and I have committed myself to secure the funding in a constitutional manner and I have informed the parties concerned of that, including Speaker (Nabih) Berri,” Miqati noted.
Clarifying his stance on the U.N.-backed tribunal, Miqati added: “Is it conceivable that a prime minister would disregard any process aimed at fulfilling justice and unveiling the truth about the assassination of a former premier? Of course not. I urged all the ministers yesterday to shoulder their responsibilities.”
Listing the possible benefits from paying Lebanon’s share of funds to the STL, Miqati said: “Should Lebanon finance the STL, it would be honoring its obligations and preserving its image before the international community as well as its exclusive (maritime) economic zone.”
“We would be opening the doors for cooperation with the Western nations and we would be committing to justice, which is the most important thing. We would have stability and we would be protecting the Resistance, because the Resistance would be strong if Lebanon is strong and vice versa,” the premier went on to say.
As to Hizbullah’s stance on the issue, Miqati said he was not expecting Hizbullah to voice its support for the funding of the tribunal.
“But I’m expecting the ministers to show the required patriotism,” he added.
“I won’t accept, during my term of office, that Lebanon be a pariah in the international community or that it disavow its obligations. When the issue becomes to fund or not to fund, at that point Lebanon should be protected and I advise the ministers and the political blocs to tackle the issue in a serious manner,” Miqati urged his partners in the government.
“Let them consider funding as an insurance policy to protect Lebanon from the approaching winds,” he said.
Asked about the rally that will be held Sunday in the northern city of Tripoli by the Mustaqbal Movement under the banner of Independence Day, Miqati, a Tripoli native himself, said “everyone is welcome in Tripoli, which is for everyone and tolerates everyone.”
As the premier stressed that his political rivals had the right to organize a popular rally in Tripoli, he warned that the event might have malicious objectives, charging that the Mustaqbal Movement’s “philosophy” was based on rejecting the other.
“I respect all opinions, but my position is clear and no one can question my patriotism. I’m not betraying my country or sect and the Sunni sect is one of Lebanon’s pillars and it is the only guarantee for this country,” Miqati added.
On whether the rally would become an occasion to demand his ouster, Miqati said: “My conscience is clear and what I’m doing serves Lebanon’s interest and I’m convinced with it. I would only resign if Lebanon’s interest required that.”
Asked about his future electoral alliances in Tripoli light of the current rivalry with the Mustaqbal Movement, with which he had allied in the 2009 parliamentary elections, Miqati said: “It is too early to talk about that and enough with using Tripoli as a mailbox and I don’t accept that Tripoli be an arena for any conflict. I will fight for Tripoli till the end but I will not fight in Tripoli, because it should remain neutral.”
On the issue of Lebanon’s recent vote at the Arab League concerning the Syrian crisis, which has stirred controversy in the country after Lebanon voted against a resolution to suspend Syria, Miqati said: “There are certain standards that must be taken into consideration concerning our vote at the Arab League. We cannot engage in an adventure.”
“Lebanon’s policy is based on disassociating itself from everything happening in Syria. Lebanon is against isolating any Arab state and our vote was aimed at rejecting the suspension of Syria’s membership in the Arab League, but we support anything related to halting the bloodshed,” he explained.
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24 November 2011, 22:52
Miqati: I don’t regret for a second that I had nominated myself for the premiership and I heeded the call of duty and what’s important is that we make accomplishments.
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24 November 2011, 22:51
Miqati: The relation with Aoun’s ministers in cabinet is fine, but he has his style in tackling things and he must understand that I won’t be lenient with him.
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24 November 2011, 22:39
Miqati: The media is not being fair to the government, which is too aggrieved. We approved more than 1,600 resolutions over a period of 5 months and this is a record number given the circumstances we’re going through.
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24 November 2011, 22:26
Miqati: I will take the proper stance should the government fail to finance the STL but I hope things will not reach the extent of submitting my resignation.
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24 November 2011, 22:24
Miqati: I do not want to expose the Resistance and Lebanon to dangers and it is important to tell the world that Lebanon is committed to international resolutions.
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24 November 2011, 22:23
Miqati: Simply, I would be protecting Lebanon by resigning. Let them consider funding as an insurance policy to protect Lebanon from the approaching winds.
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24 November 2011, 22:20
Miqati on whether he would quit if the government failed to fund the STL: I won’t accept, during my term of office, that Lebanon be a pariah in the international community or that it disavow its obligations. When the issue becomes to fund or not to fund, at that point Lebanon should be protected and I advise the ministers and the political blocs to tackle the issue in a serious manner.
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24 November 2011, 22:09
Miqati: I’m not expecting Hizbullah to voice its support for the funding but I’m expecting the ministers to show the required patriotism.
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24 November 2011, 22:07
Miqati: Should Lebanon finance the STL, it would be honoring its obligations and preserving its image before the international community as well as its exclusive economic zone. We would be opening the doors for cooperation with the Western nations and we would be committing to justice, which is the most important thing. We would have stability and we would be protecting the Resistance, because the Resistance would be strong if Lebanon is strong and vice versa.
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24 November 2011, 22:03
Miqati: I had protected the opposition, not only Lebanon and my conscience is clear.
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24 November 2011, 22:02
Miqati: Is it conceivable that a prime minister would disregard any process aimed at fulfilling justice and unveiling the truth about the assassination of a former premier? Of course not. I urged all the ministers yesterday to shoulder their responsibilities.
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24 November 2011, 22:01
Miqati: Lebanon is committed to the international resolutions and I have committed myself to secure the funding in a constitutional manner and I have informed the parties concerned of that, including Speaker Berri.
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24 November 2011, 21:58
Miqati on the STL: STL President David Baragwanath told me that we should pay the STL funds in December at the latest.
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24 November 2011, 21:47
Miqati on his future electoral alliances: It is too early to talk about that and enough with using Tripoli as a mailbox and I don’t accept that Tripoli be an arena for any conflict. I will fight for Tripoli till the end but I will not fight in Tripoli, because it should remain neutral.
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24 November 2011, 21:44
Miqati: My conscience is clear and what I’m doing serves Lebanon’s interest and I’m convinced with it. I would only resign if Lebanon’s interest required that.
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24 November 2011, 21:41
Miqati: I respect all opinions, but my position is clear and no one can question my patriotism. I’m not betraying my country or sect and the Sunni sect is one of Lebanon’s pillars and it is the only guarantee for this country.
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24 November 2011, 21:41
Miqati: The constitution is being misinterpreted and we’re sitting with individuals who have never read the Taef Accord.
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24 November 2011, 21:38
Miqati: There are certain standards that must be taken into consideration concerning our vote at the Arab League. We cannot engage in an adventure.
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24 November 2011, 21:36
Miqati: Lebanon’s policy is based on disassociating itself from everything happening in Syria. Lebanon is against isolating any Arab state and our vote was aimed at rejecting the suspension of Syria’s membership in the Arab League, but we support anything related to halting the bloodshed.
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24 November 2011, 21:34
Miqati on the rally that will be held Sunday in Tripoli by the Mustaqbal Movement: Everyone is welcome in Tripoli, which is for everyone and tolerates everyone, but their philosophy is based on rejecting the other.
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24 November 2011, 21:28
Miqati: The Arab peoples have the right to rise up but is everything happening spontaneously and without an instigator? I’m only concerned with Lebanon and its security.
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24 November 2011, 21:26
Miqati: I reiterate my centrist position and Lebanon’s interest lies in preserving its civil peace, unity and stability.
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24 November 2011, 21:24
Miqati: I have only one concern and one project: my love for my country and preventing civil strife.
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24 November 2011, 21:22
Miqati: I urge the judiciary to expedite its ruling in the Myriam al-Ashqar case and I don’t mind at all to sign a death verdict against such a person (the perpetrator).
25 November 2011, 01:00
04
he talks about accomplishments in this government, well he must have forgotten that before, everytime a parliament was opened the march 8 mps would boycott because they wanted the false witnesses agenda on top. now miqati is in gov and suddenly no one cares about false witnesses. iam even surprised he memorized all his accomplishments to the word and every number. must had took a whole team of hizbullah media specialists to coach him on how to speak and the right things to say.
MIQATI WE ARE NOT STUPID! "All i care about is lebanon" where were you when the bombings were happening, where were u when may 7th happened. and funny thing, during his speech he was asked, when are they gonna apply arms free tripoli. he said some people wont give up their arms, is hizbullah also in tripoli? is the resistance their as well? i thought you only supported weapons in the south. he contradicted himself in the same talk show. It surprises me how much effort they put into lying and manipulating people
25 November 2011, 01:36
04
There will be no cabinet consensus on funding the STL. There will be a vote in the cabinet. Jumblatt's, Sulieman, and Mikati's Ministers will vote for funding; Aoun's and Hezbollah's against. The big looser will be Assad as Mikatqi will not have the votes and will resign to be reunited with the Sunni of Tripoli to the isolation of Assad and Hezbollah.
Lebanon will be put to maximum danger as the cloak will come off of the Hezbollah government,an Israeli invasion could happen and thru Lebanon, the military gate to Syria opened.
How can I be sure? Because Aoun is with Hezbollah and everything he touches dies.
25 November 2011, 05:39
03
the main objective of this government is to be a platform for the next elections. obviously if he resigns, their plans fail.
if they do not fund the STL, our banking system will fall and it will not matter anymore if there are sanctions on us or not.
so basically they will pay, but all this mascarade is just to give a boost to miqati and his government to be able to last till the next elections.
25 November 2011, 06:14
02
they will fund.. Hizbullah does not want this gov to fall. It will be singled out so fund it but then it won<t change much in the upcoming events.. war is imminent ! brace yourselves, brace yourselves !
25 November 2011, 14:10
20
It does not matter if STL is funded or not funded. STL is worthless like the UN GAZA resolutions on Israeli war crimes. The parliament and government has been split since 2005. It does not matter who is PM.
If Lebanon disintegrates again, persons like Hariri will go back to KSA or will be hiding in bomb shelters (like they did in the past) and a new Salafist movement will take over in Tripoli (the way the Tahheed Islami did in the 80's).
25 November 2011, 16:00
01
@John
The only one who is hiding is the brave Hassan Nasrallah! The only ones who have been targeted and killed during the last 6 years are those who said No to Syria, and No to Hezbollah!
25 November 2011, 16:57
01
"Miqati Hints He May Quit"
That was no hint it was a promise.
25 November 2011, 17:49
30
Shab Nasrala is hiding from assassination, but at least he is in Lebanon. His members are the only force Israel, America (and their Arab puppets) fear. John, I like the way you speak of America same as Israel because without America there is no Israel, and without all these Arab puppets there would be no Israel.
25 November 2011, 18:38
20
"patriot" I am talking about Lebanon going back to a period a lot worse than the last 6 years.
25 November 2011, 19:28
10
"The only ones who have been targeted and killed during the last 6 years are those who said No to Syria, and No to Hezbollah!" "patriot" you must be an Israeli for not mentioning the killing of over a thousand Lebanese in 2006 by the Israeli occupying enemy.
25 November 2011, 19:49
20
Patriot...3 years ago 12 SSNP members were tortured and executed by Hariri thugs. The SSNP always retaliates.
26 November 2011, 02:40
11
halba: just remember why people got so mad after the SSNP party members and what they did in beirut...it s not an excuse but just to understand their state of mind after what they did in beirut...
just a little example: a mother and her baby were killed in their car after a gang from the SSNP bombed it with an rpg....
26 November 2011, 11:09
00
@Halba
Please post a link. I have never heard about this story... and would be curious to inquire about it...
26 November 2011, 16:54
00
SSNP were targeting Armed Hariri gangs who were setting our offices in Beirut on fire. Are you trying to say that we targeted civilians and the M14 militias did not kill any civilians when they were firing? You are condoning the massacre, because you do not care when civilians are killed by Israel, America, and their M14 allies.
