Differences 'Resolved' at Baabda Meeting, Parties Plan Action over Israeli Threats
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
A tripartite meeting at Baabda Palace between President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri in a bid to ease political tensions concluded “positively” and the officials announced that differences have been resolved, as they planned action against Israeli threats against Lebanon.
Speaker Nabih Berri, who left the hall with a smile on his face, told reporters at the Presidential Palace: “The meeting was productive,” and announced that the Presidency will issue an official statement about the meeting.
He did not give further details.
For his part, Prime Minister Saad Hariri also hailed the outcome of the meeting and said: “It was positive and productive. You will all witness cooperation among us all in the interest of the Lebanese.”
He assured that the differences between Berri and Aoun have been resolved.
An official statement was later issued by Baabda Palace assuring that the interlocutors have agreed that “Lebanon's civil peace shall not be threatened by political differences.”
They also “agreed to address what happened in the previous days through the State institutions and the Constitution.”
They reiterated “adherence to the National Pact agreement to preserve national coexistence and deter any threats against civil peace.”
Highlighting Israel's threats against Lebanon's security and oil wealth, the statement said: “Israeli threats are a flagrant violation against UN Resolution 1701 and directly threaten stability prevailing on the border area since 2006.”
“We will continue to move at various regional and international levels to prevent Israel from building the cement wall and its potential encroachment on oil and gas wealth in Lebanese territorial waters,” it added.
“A series of actions will be presented to the High Defense Council at an extraordinary meeting to be held tomorrow afternoon, with a view to taking appropriate decisions that will prevent Israeli encroachment and prevent any security deterioration in the border area,” it added.
The meeting comes several days after Aoun held phone talks with Berri at the Premier's request in order to ease skyrocketing tensions between their supporters against the backdrop of a leaked video footage of Aoun's son-in-law and Foreign Minster Jebran Bassil calling Berri a “thug.”
The initial row began over a seniority decree promoting a number of army officers that did not carry the signature of the finance minister.
Moreover, the latest statement by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Lebanon's offshore gas bloc accelerated the necessity for Lebanon's senior officials to meet.
Lieberman described as "very provocative" Lebanon's tender on exploring gas in Block 9. This gas field "is by all accounts ours," the Israeli minister said.
06 February 2018, 14:16
56
Resolution 1701.
Doesn't that also specifically state that there shall be no armed groups other than the Lebanese Army south of the Litani.
So when exactly will Hizballah leave the area, so that Lebanon can complain about Israeli non-compliance with the resolution, although the Israeli barrier does not encroach one single centimeter into Lebanese territory.
06 February 2018, 15:00
72
Phillipo... Block 9 maritime zone is within Lebanese maritime borders, recognized by the UN and the whole world including the USA. Lebanon has every right to explore this maritime block for gas and oil. Why does Israeli Jewish extremist parties in the Israeli Government (Defense minister Lieberman) continues to threaten to destroy Lebanon and target, civilians? Is this in compliance with resolution 1701? Israel continues to violate Lebanese air space on a daily basis! Every day since the end of the 2006 war. Every day fake bombing UN peacekeepers. Ask the UN peacekeepers for their view on who is the aggressor. And you ask about Hezbollah? All of Lebanon want hezbollah to intergrate with the Lebanese army but it is impossible while Israel continues to defy resolution 1701 and their threats to attack civilians!
Ya Phillipo, lets not even discuss the Shebbaa farms. As President Bashir Gemayel famously declared...10,452m2 is Lebanon’s territory! This includes Shebaa Farms.
06 February 2018, 15:42
22
when the syrian regime supplies the required documents to the lebanese government and un stating the shebbaa farms are part of lebanon and should not be covered by un 242 the shebbaa farms will no longer be an issue. the farms will then become part of un 425. why is the syrian regime still refusing to do this, do you know?
06 February 2018, 16:00
24
Ado, the Blue Line was demarcated by the UN. Israel has a right to abide by it. Walls can be taken down if Syria concedes the Farms to Lebanon. On the threats, those from Israel come in response from threats by Lebanon to destroy Israel, which is Lebanon's official policy. The Lebanese government regularly threatens to fire rockets against Israeli civilians (suggest you review speeches by Hezbollah). The 2006 war began when Lebanon, without Israeli provocation, infiltrated into Israel and kidnapped Israeli soldiers. Israel has a right to prevent Lebanon from repeating this.
Neither side is adhering to 1701. That is not good but the reality.
When Lebanon recognizes Israel's right to exist and stops threatening to destroy it and to fire rockets targeting its civilians, Israel will not need a wall. Israel does not have these issues with Egypt or Jordan.
06 February 2018, 16:25
52
Arturo. Syria has no reason to concede the farms nor are they in a position to do anything ATM, so why is Israel using that as an excuse if the farms are the only remaining territory dispute? Israel didn’t hold on to the farms for no reason. There’s huge amount of water reserves. When has Lebanon threatened to destroy Israel? Please quote. Lebanon has never threatened Israeli civilians... please quote. I’m not one to defend Hezbollah, but when have they threatened to “first strike” Israel? It’s always a response to an aggressive Israeli ministers threats.
Yes Hezbollah was wrong to attack Israeli troops in 2006 but the response was clearly an overreaction and negative for both sides.
I cant remember any Lebanese official claiming Israel doesn’t have the right to exist but I can quote many times Israeli Ministers threading to burn the soil of Lebanon and civilians.
Lieberman is an extremist who is looking for war! He is not better then Hezbollah.
What about block 9?
06 February 2018, 18:50
15
"I’m not one to defend Hezbollah"
lol, of coursed you are not;)!
"I cant remember any Lebanese official claiming Israel doesn’t have the right to exist "
Have you ever heard your master nassrallah calling for the annihilation of Israel or perhaps you don't consider him a lebanese official but an iranian official.
You are a joke, a bad joke.
06 February 2018, 15:02
21
Let the Lebanese remember that a few days ago, because of futility, we were about to engage in a new civil war, and today, they are able to act as if nothing ever happened.
06 February 2018, 15:36
46
"All of Lebanon want hezbollah to intergrate with the Lebanese army but it is impossible while Israel continues to defy resolution 1701 and their threats to attack civilians!"
LOL, sure ya iraní because your hezb cannot integrate into the LAF and face Israel together;)
06 February 2018, 16:34
62
The Lebanese army is in south Lebanon, along with UNIFIL. Ask the Italian, French, and Spanish forces what daily threats they receive from Israel. To claim Lebanon’s army is not there is propaganda that serves who? To clarify for the trolls... I’m not claiming hezbollah is not in south Lebanon.
06 February 2018, 16:41
52
Dear Trolls. Let’s not lie to everyone. Murat is a sad, paid troll. Even if I’m right.
07 February 2018, 03:09
02
" I’m not claiming hezbollah is not in south Lebanon."
so what are you claiming exactly?! Hezbollah being at the border in south Lebanon is a clear violation of 1701 yet you waffle and say Israel is the one violating 1701.
