Pro-Hezbollah paper says Doha statement returns crisis to square one

W460

A statement issued by the U.S., France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt after a meeting in Doha has returned Lebanon’s presidential crisis to “square one,” the pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper said on Wednesday.

“The presidential vacuum will now protract indefinitely,” the daily said in a headline.

“Ten months after New York’s tripartite statement, the Doha statement came on Monday to return the crisis in Lebanon to square one, putting it anew before new months of the crisis and returning Paris to Arab and Western constants,” al-Akhbar added.

In a statement issued after the Doha meeting, the five-nation group on Lebanon had threatened “measures” against the Lebanese parties who are “blocking progress” in the stalled presidential election file, calling for a new president who “embodies integrity, unites the nation, puts the interests of the country first, prioritizes the well-being of its citizens, and forms a broad and inclusive coalition to implement essential economic reforms.”

SourceNaharnet
Comments 3
Thumb i.report 19 July 2023, 11:58

To increase their chances of success, including Iran in the Doha meeting would have been prudent, as they hold significant influence among Shia groups as they even control one.

Thumb SupportBeirut 19 July 2023, 15:02

Threats and blackmail is all they know how to do. They again are taking the majority of the Lebanese hostage.

Thumb gebran_sons 19 July 2023, 16:58

One solution to Lebanon crisis by solving 2 key issues:
1. Hizbollah’s Iranian model incompatible with Lebanon’s democracy, open economy, freedom, respect of others, critical thinking and free media. Not compatible with our culture & traditions.
2. Economic recovery impossible with Hizb arms, political risks & hate of West causing exodus of Western firms, crippling interest rates, dried investments and mushrooming debt
Solution: separate Hizbollahstan from free Lebanon. Borders already defined from south of Sida to Nabatie & Bekaa. Hizb will have own Iranian-style country, army, border with Syria & mountains to dig military tunnels. Rest of Lebanon with diaspora help will quickly regain its Switzerland role, enshrine democracy and open economy, and eliminate confessional at all levels key for reform & replacing political mafia and zuamas with honest and competent leaders. No position will be assigned to religion, even Shia, Druze or Alawi can become president of Free Lebanon.