Amal will not back from abolishing political sectarianism, says MP

Amal Movement MP Ali Khreiss reiterated on Sunday that his party which is headed by Speaker Nabih Berri will not back down on its proposal to set up a committee to abolish political sectarianism.
He stressed that AMAL Movement believes that sectarianism is an “illness and a disease.”
Khreiss also slammed Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora for his remarks over the Arab summit in Libya.

“Siniora still considers himself prime minister and acts on this basis,” Khreiss said.

With the exception of Hezbollah and Amal the rest of the Lebanese parties are opposed to abolishing political sectarianism as long as Hezbollah holds to its arms.

Amal Movement is opposed to Lebanon’s participation in the Arab summit that will be held towards the end of march in Libya and blames Libya’s strongman Moammar Gaddafi for the disappearance of Amal founder Imam Moussa al Sadr

Clashes between Future, Amal supporters in Beirut

A fight erupted between Future Movement and AMAL supporters in Beirut’s Burj Abu Haidar neighborhood in west Beirut. The army intervened and is trying to contain the situation.

Jumblatt-Wahab meeting fuels more speculation about future alliances

The meeting between Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt and former minister Wiam Wahab fueled more speculation about Jumblatt and his future alliances
As Safir reported that the meeting was the beginning of cooperation between Jumblatt, MPs Michel Aoun, Suleiman Franjieh, Hezbollah , Amal and Future movements.
However, Ad-Diyar reported it is too early to discuss about a new coalition deal between Jumblatt and another party, since the Druze leader has stressed that he would neither tilt towards the March 14 coalition nor towards the March 8 forces.

Zahra defends Geagea against Amal MP accusations

Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra said in a statement that the LF leader Samir Geagea “is the most keen on implementing the Taif Accord,” adding that his party supports the establishment of a strong state to guarantee national interests.
Zahra was responding to Amal MP Hani Qobeissy who said Geagea “rejects stability and the Taif Accord.”
“How can Qobeissy say that he is with [implementing] the Taif Accord and the constitution, while he calls for preserving the Resistance and its arms?” asked Zahra.
Zahra said Geagea made earlier statements that Lebanon should not give Israel an excuse for it to wage a war on our country

Resistance as vigilantism

By Ghassan Karam
Every so often MP Ra’ad of Hezbollah, leaders in Amal and Sheikh Tawook, the Hezbollah Commander of the South, regale us with the argument that resistance is a natural right that is not negotiable.

Geagea: Only the government can decide on UN resolutions

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed on Monday during his meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michele Sison at Maarab that Lebanon’s official stance regarding international resolutions is taken by the government only and not by any political side. He added that Resolution 1559 was not raised for discussion by the government and that in case it will be raised, then LF would voice support for all international resolutions related to Lebanon.
LF press office has reported that Sison informed Geagea of her administration’s firm support to the implementation of international resolutions 1559, 1680, and 1701 and her country’s unconditional support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and for all what it takes to fortify, Lebanon’s independence, freedom, and sovereignty over all its territories.
Syria and its Lebanese allies specially Hezbollah and Amal have been pushing for annulling UNSCR 1559

PSP helps March 8 win the elections at LAU Beirut campus

The March 8 opposition won the elections at the Lebanese American University’s Beirut campus as a result of the support by Walid Jumblat’s Progressive Socialist Party.
The “Keep Working” March 8 alliance, representing Amal, Hezbollah, the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Democratic Party, and Syrian Social Nationalist Party, managed to pick up all the 12 seats, after PSP supporters voted for the opposition camp.
But at the LAU Jbeil campus, the March 14 which includes the Lebanese Forces, al-Mustaqbal movement and Phalange party, managed to win seven seats, while the March 8 alliance , won five.

Khalil: Geagea annoyed by the reconciliation meetings for being excluded

Amal MP Ali Hassan Khalil : “The Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea seems annoyed by the recent reconciliation meetings and being excluded from them.”