Change and Reform Welcomes Saudi Donation to Army 'in Principle'
The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc on Monday announced that it welcomes the Saudi donation to the Lebanese army “in principle,” wondering if the kingdom will impose certain conditions on Lebanon following this move.
“We consider the Saudi donation to the army as a declaration of intent and in principle, we welcome any assistance to the army because it is the pillar of security and stability and the mind and heart of all the Lebanese,” said MP Ibrahim Kanaan after the bloc's weekly meeting in Rabieh.
On Sunday, President Michel Suleiman revealed that Riyadh has decided to earmark three billion dollars to purchase French weapons for the Lebanese army as soon as possible.
“Until we know the details of the Saudi initiative and whether or not it has certain conditions, we welcome this initiative in principle,” Kanaan noted.
Turning to the issue of the stalled cabinet formation process, Kanaa said “the formation of a new cabinet is an important issue and it needs a consensual decision because it is important to return to constitutional work."
"We want what the Lebanese interest requires. We want to bring people together not to increase the rift. Moving from a caretaker cabinet to another caretaker cabinet will only worsen things," Kanaan noted.
Commenting on reports that Suleiman and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam might form a so-called "neutral" cabinet, the lawmaker said: "We do not want to put preconditions, but we must listen to our conscience and the Lebanese interest before anything else."
"Our policy is a policy of understanding, not a policy of conflict, and for once we must reach a Lebanese-Lebanese understanding," said Kanaan.
Separately, he stressed the need to refer the crime of former minister Mohammed Shatah's assassination to the Judicial Council, but underlined that that must happen "according to the legal norms."
Shatah, his bodyguard and six other people were killed Friday in a powerful car bomb attack in downtown Beirut that wounded dozens others.
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