Suleiman: Essence of Baabda Declaration Must Be Incorporated in Constitution
President Michel Suleiman stressed on Saturday the need for all powers to return to their commitment to the Baabda Declaration, reiterating that it will safeguard Lebanon from regional unrest.
He added: “The essence of the Declaration should be incorporated in Lebanon's constitution.”
He made his remarks during a seminar on the Declaration that was held at the Phoenicia Hotel in downtown Beirut and that was attended by caretaker Premier Najib Miqati and a number of officials.
The president stated that the agreement was unanimously approved during two back-to-back national dialogue sessions.
“It does not call for Lebanon to become neutral from Syria because such a demand requires certain measures and an agreement of its own,” Suleiman said.
The Declaration respects the Taef Accord, he continued.
“It is not a temporary agreement and we believe that we will be more in need of it in the future,” remarked Suleiman.
“Whoever is disregarding the Declaration now will come to realize its importance in the future,” he noted.
Moreover, he said that the Baabda Declaration does not address the details of a defense strategy for Lebanon, but it mentions it, explaining that it does not serve as a defense strategy.
“Should Lebanon's fate remain tied to regional developments? Do we want to lead it towards the unknown? Shouldn't Lebanon be kept off this path?” he wondered before the gatherers.
The Baabda Declaration was approved unanimously during a June 2012 national dialogue session.
It calls Lebanon to steer clear from the developments in Syria.
Since then however a number of local powers, especially Hizbullah, have taken part in the fighting in Syria.
Hizbullah's fighting alongside the Syrian regime has incurred local and international criticism and it has repeatedly been urged to withdraw its fighters.
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