Reflections on Hezbollah, March 14 and the Special Tribunal.

by Ghassan Karam
Since we have been going around in circles for a few years, at best we are running on the spot, it is time to stress for the umpteenth time what appears to still be misunderstood by many.

Hariri: Hezbollah controlled government aims at eliminating the tribunal

Caretaker Premier Saad Hariri justified the March 14 alliance’s refusal to be part of Najib Mikati’s government by stressing that the Hezbollah-backed Cabinet aims at “eliminating” the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

March 14 “saw that it is in the interest of Lebanon and the Lebanese to move to a real national opposition that responds to the requirements of a democratic system,” Hariri said in the interview published Monday. (more…)

Opposition officially refuses to join “Hezbollah’s government” in Lebanon

March 14 alliance MPs met at the Bristol Hotel in Beirut on Sunday evening and issued a statement afterward announcing that they reject participation in Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati’s cabinet.

“The way the national unity cabinet was toppled and the atmospheres of intimidation … created by the March 8 camp during the process of parliamentary consultations and designation (of Miqati) have confirmed our doubts that the March 8 camp is pressing on with its coup,” March 14 said in its statement. (more…)

Hariri: No hard feelings towards Jumblatt or his supporters

Saad Hariri refused to respond to comments made by Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt, who stated on Thursday that Hariri was referring to him and Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati “when he spoke of betrayal” in his speech on February 14, the sixth anniversary of the assassination of Rafik Hariri. (more…)

March 14: Opposition will take on Hezbollah’s ‘militarist regime’

The 60 March 14 coalition MPs are preparing to hold a meeting at the Bristol Hotel on Sunday at 6:00 pm where they are expected to announce the camp’s final position on the participation in Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati’s government.

Lebanon First bloc MP Okab Sakr said on Saturday that the March 14 coalition will become a democratic opposition “against a militarist regime.” (more…)

March 14 tells Hezbollah: We will not succumb to blackmail

The General Secretariat of the March 14 Forces responded in a statement on Saturday to the recent speech of Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah by saying : “March 14 forces, that are holding onto justice and stability together, will not succumb to blackmail” that aims to make Lebanon a failed State. ” (more…)

Analysis of the results of 2010 Mt Lebanon Municipal elections

Initial reading on the vote in Mount Lebanon Municipal election according to Central News Agency ( al Markazieh ) sources reveals significant fall in the popularity of Free Patriotic Movement.

March 14: Hezbollah’s arms are still a controversial issue among Lebanese

Following its weekly meeting on Wednesday March 14 general-secretariat called on national dialogue participants to discuss the March 14 coalition’s seven-point plan on Lebanon’s protection.

“Hezbollah’s arms are still a controversial issue among Lebanese,” it said following its weekly meeting.

“It urges dialogue participants to discuss the March 14 forces’ vision to protect Lebanon,” the statement said. (more…)

March14 proposes a plan to save Lebanon

Following the March 14 meeting at Bristol Hotel on Sunday , General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soueid told the press that the gathering, was aimed at guaranteeing the well-being of all Lebanese, despite their political and sectarian differences. (more…)

Suleiman, March 14 met to discuss dialogue committee

Lebanese President  Michel Sleiman met  with March 14 delegation at the Baabda palace  to discuss the issue of the national dialogue committee. The delegation was headed by Fares Soueid . (more…)