Aug 1, 2008 22:58 | Updated Aug 1, 2008 23:20
Lebanese gov't: Hizbullah can use force to 'liberate' territory
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Lebanese ministerial committee has drafted a compromise position on the issue of Hizbullah weapons, the country's information minister announced Friday.
Young Lebanese Hizbullah supporters, hold mock ups of Katyusha rockets launchers, in front of a portrait of Hizbullah's Secretary-General Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, during a rally in Saksakkiyeh village south of Lebanon.
Photo: AP
Slideshow: Pictures of the week The draft implies the group can keep its arms and opens the way for parliament to approve a new government that includes the militant group.
However, the draft statement announced by the minister, Tarek Mitri, was deliberately vague, saying that the army and Hizbullah have the "right to liberate all Lebanese territories," without explicitly saying the Shi'ite opposition group is allowed to keep its weapons.
The issue has been a longtime point of disputes, with many in Lebanon's Western-backed majority wanting to disarm Hizbullah - a demand the group staunchly rejects.
The compromise came after more than three weeks of political wrangling and marathon sessions.
Mitri told reporters after Friday's meeting that the ministerial committee agreed "on the right of Lebanon's people, the army and the resistance to liberate all its territories."
"Resistance" is Lebanon's jargon for Hizbullah, admired nationwide for its stand against Israel. "All territories" alludes to the fact that Lebanon considers the disputed Shaba Farms in the south of the country that were captured by Israel from Syria during the Six Day War as its own territory.
The Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss and approve the draft before referring it to parliament. Approval in the parliament will constitute the basis for a vote of confidence in the new government.
Lebanese gov't: Hizbullah can use force to 'liberate' territory | Middle East | Jerusalem Post
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So, I guess all those analysts yelling that Hizballah now control Lebanon weren't really over-stating the matter after all. Since Hizballah and its military operation are now officially going to be approved by and represent the government, then the next war will actually be between countries, between Israel and Lebanon, or should I say Hizbanon? Unfortunate to see once again that the vaunted March 14th movement and the Cedar Revolution were such quickly passing moments. What's the point of all that if you're just going to let yourself be put under the same yoke?
Lebanese gov't: Hizbullah can use force to 'liberate' territory
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Lebanese ministerial committee has drafted a compromise position on the issue of Hizbullah weapons, the country's information minister announced Friday.
Young Lebanese Hizbullah supporters, hold mock ups of Katyusha rockets launchers, in front of a portrait of Hizbullah's Secretary-General Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, during a rally in Saksakkiyeh village south of Lebanon.
Photo: AP
Slideshow: Pictures of the week The draft implies the group can keep its arms and opens the way for parliament to approve a new government that includes the militant group.
However, the draft statement announced by the minister, Tarek Mitri, was deliberately vague, saying that the army and Hizbullah have the "right to liberate all Lebanese territories," without explicitly saying the Shi'ite opposition group is allowed to keep its weapons.
The issue has been a longtime point of disputes, with many in Lebanon's Western-backed majority wanting to disarm Hizbullah - a demand the group staunchly rejects.
The compromise came after more than three weeks of political wrangling and marathon sessions.
Mitri told reporters after Friday's meeting that the ministerial committee agreed "on the right of Lebanon's people, the army and the resistance to liberate all its territories."
"Resistance" is Lebanon's jargon for Hizbullah, admired nationwide for its stand against Israel. "All territories" alludes to the fact that Lebanon considers the disputed Shaba Farms in the south of the country that were captured by Israel from Syria during the Six Day War as its own territory.
The Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss and approve the draft before referring it to parliament. Approval in the parliament will constitute the basis for a vote of confidence in the new government.
Lebanese gov't: Hizbullah can use force to 'liberate' territory | Middle East | Jerusalem Post
____________________________________________
So, I guess all those analysts yelling that Hizballah now control Lebanon weren't really over-stating the matter after all. Since Hizballah and its military operation are now officially going to be approved by and represent the government, then the next war will actually be between countries, between Israel and Lebanon, or should I say Hizbanon? Unfortunate to see once again that the vaunted March 14th movement and the Cedar Revolution were such quickly passing moments. What's the point of all that if you're just going to let yourself be put under the same yoke?
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