Al-Mustaqbal Bloc Blames Boat Tragedy on Illegal Arms, Praises Suleiman's Representation of Lebanon at U.N.
Al-Mustaqbal bloc on Tuesday blamed the Indonesian boat tragedy on the possession of illegal arms, saying that Hizbullah's weaponry cause tension “wherever they were found.”
"The possession of illegal arms is responsible for illegal migration in the country,” the bloc said in a released statement after the MPs' weekly meeting at the Center House.
The statement also criticized the official neglect towards this disaster, particularly pointing figures at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The boat, which was estimated to be carrying between 80 and 120 Middle Eastern illegal immigrants, went down on Friday in rough seas off Indonesia's main island of Java. It was headed for Australia's Christmas Island.
Twenty-eight people have escaped alive.
The Lebanese foreign ministry said Sunday there were 68 Lebanese, including children, on board the ill-fated vessel and that 18 survived the ordeal while at least 29 were still missing.
The al-Mustaqbal lawmakers also discussed the latest deadly clashes in the Bekaa city of Baalbek, considering it “an attack by Hizbullah's militia against citizens.”
They said: “This is another episode of the dominance of Hizbullah's arms over public life in the country, and which causes tension wherever it was found.”
"Avoiding a repetition of such incidents requires the withdrawal of Hizbullah's arms from all Lebanese regions so that the state takes on the responsibility of protecting the country and its people.”
Five people, including a soldier, were killed after clashes broke out between Hizbullah members and al-Shiyyah clan following a dispute in Baalbek’s al-Qalaa marketplace on Saturday.
In a separate matter, the bloc praised President Michel Suleiman's efforts during his visit to New York.
“We salute his statements given at the United Nations General Assembly and the talks he held to protect Lebanon and defend its national interests,” it said.
The statement explained: “Thanks to his efforts, the international community stressed on the necessity to neutralize Lebanon and to fully abide by the Security Council's resolutions.”
"Suleiman protects the constitution and the citizens' rights. He is a great representative of Lebanon.”
Regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the lawmakers accused the Ministry of Communication of obstructing its work.
"Facts have proven that there is intentional delay and staling in responding to the STL's demands,” they said. “This indicates that there is an intention to delay the launch of the Tribunal's work, and thus, to allow criminals to escape punishment.”
"We Strongly condemn Minster Nicolas Sehnawi's suspicious activities and the families of the victims will keep their right to prosecute him for obstructing the investigation in a crime that targeted the country and its citizens.”
The MPs ended their statement by reiterating calls for forming a cabinet.
"We demand the president and the premier-designate to hurry up and form a cabinet to restore trust in the state's institutions and manage people's affairs and the country's economical conditions.”
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