![]() ![]() MO: Israel is always at war with Lebanon, it has always been a case of cessation of hostilities, there never was peace. ![]() Do you think “Israel” is preparing for war on Lebanon? SS: The tension between the Israeli occupation and Hezbollah is on the highest level since the 2006 war. Better yet, we need to completely remove politics from the judiciary system and that can only happen when we become a full secular state with a “one province electoral law”, which means abolishing the sectarian system of election in the country. Our justice system is capable of covering all the anti-corruption cases, we just need a political decision. Yes, I do agree that we need anti-corruption plans put in place asap and reforms at the level of the judiciary system and the constitution and that we need to hold all those responsible accountable, but that is strictly a Lebanese internal matter and no other state or head of state has a say or even a right to give his or her opinion about this matter. As no state has a unilateral say in what other states can or cannot do. MO: That is blatant and clear violation of political norms and international law too. Isn’t that interference in Lebanon’s sovereignty? SS: Macron has given a deadline to the Lebanese politicians and threatened them with sanctions. Until now there has been no government announced but it was reported by Lebanese media that the current designated Prime Minister is set to provide the presidency with a list of names for his cabinet which should be approved soon. Add to that the corona virus pandemic and the existential threat of a non-existent economy on the country made it also an emergency to have a government in place asap. MO: Yes, it seems that everyone wanted to save face before Macron arrived because he promised the Lebanese presidency help at the international level in the form of a donors’ conference in October, and for this to take place there has to be a viable Lebanese government in place before then. Do you think his visit put pressure on the choice? SS: Lebanon chose a new Prime Minister on the very day President Macron arrived. Mind you, the Americans were not happy about this meeting, as it was the first meeting ever held between any Hezbollah member with a French President, yet this Mohammad Raad is a member of parliament that we are talking about and the head of a Lebanese political bloc that represents along with its allies the majority of the Lebanese parliament, so why wouldn’t he meet with Macron? The confusion is only there because the Americans did not like it because of the Beirut Barracks explosion of 1983 which the resistance never claimed responsibility for anyways. So it would be an absolute waste of time if Macron had decided to bypass the resistance in Lebanon while trying to find a solution to the economic and political deadlock in the country. Who hold the majority in the parliament? Who has the greatest public support in Lebanon? By far, the answer is Hezbollah and its allies. ![]() Marwa Osman (MO): I don’t think it is a matter of position, rather a matter of a realistic view to the Lebanese political arena. Do you think France is changing their position on Hezbollah? Steven Sahiounie (SS): Recently, France’s President Macron met with Mohammed Raad of Hezbollah. Marwa Osman, to explain the recent visit of French President Macron to Beirut, and what it portends. Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse asked a noted expert on Lebanon, Dr. Lebanon has been faced with political upheavals, and the huge explosion which destroyed the Beirut Port.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |