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Originally Posted by TAYYAR AL AOUNI • 15:45 Sfeir: A transfer of power means that each of Iran, Syria and the opposition's Palestinians would control the Lebanese situation
• 15:35 Patriarch Sfeir to al-Massira: Previous experiences showed that the presence of majority and opposition in one Cabinet is not encouraging Al-ManarTV :: Main Page |
Sfeir: Experience Has Shown a Cabinet of Pro-Government and Opposition Forces Is Not Encouraging
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir said in comments published Monday the formation of a cabinet that includes pro-government and opposition forces was "not encouraging" based on the previous experience.
In an interview with al-Massira magazine, Sfeir said: "A government in which a majority rules and the minority opposes will do well."
He added: "However, if a government is formed with one horse in the front and another in the back then the carriage will not be able to move."
He said the presence of both pro-government and opposition forces in a future cabinet would lead to "the obstruction and hindrance" of its work.
Sfeir insisted that he will continue to "be candid and speak the truth regardless of their words or threats."
"The important thing is for the Christians to know where they are headed," he added.
Asked whether he was pleased that March 14 remained a majority in parliament, he said: "To a certain extent the weight did not move to March 8, but we do not know what the future is hiding for us. Isn't it true that a transfer of power means that each of Iran, Syria and the opposition's Palestinians control the Lebanese situation?"
He said that the Lebanese expatriates "live in the United States, Australia, Canada and Europe not in Iran." He said that Lebanon had "absolutely no interest" to boycott the West.
On Hizbullah's weapons arsenal, Sfeir said "there is no country in the world in which there are armed groups and others unarmed. The people wants to live in a state that treats them equally."
"The issue of weapons is in the hand of the state alone. The problem is that Hizbullah has become stronger than the state forming an abnormal and unnatural situation," he added.
"Is liberation an exclusive right for Hizbullah?" he asked.
Naharnet News Desk