National Dialogue Committee: Suleiman Opposes Doubts Against Resistance, Raad Rejects Geagea’s Proposal

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman emphasized on the importance of national understanding, establishing political and security stability, committing to the decision agreed on during dialogue regarding Palestinian arms, and continuing in the media and political pacification.

Heading the National Dialogue Committee, Suleiman opposed any doubt against the resistance, pointing out that the Lebanese army in Odaisseh applied a political decision as it executed its basic duty. He added that the resistance's harmony with the army creates a defense strategy, emphasizing on the continuous efforts to the army's armament because "Israeli" violations have become outrageous.

On the other hand, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on the army, people, and resistance tripartite equation, praising the army's firmness in Odaisseh clashes that clearly revealed what the defense strategy truly is.

"What is required today is to protect the resistance that has become a need for the nation and army, and this is by keeping it away from internal conflicts," he added, revealing, "There are some things we as officials could do to unite the Lebanese."

On his part, head of the Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblatt commented on former PM Fouad Seniora's accusations to Hizbullah in 2006 of being responsible for the "Israeli" war against Lebanon, saying, ""Israel" does not need an excuse to wage an aggression against Lebanon", warning of the insanity of erupting internal crisis while being targeted by foreign parties.

In the same context, head of the Loyalty to the Resistance Parliamentary Bloc MP Mohammad Raad reminded of the stances of the government back when Seniora was PM, wondering, "Does protecting Lebanon mean exposing it to "Israeli" aggressions, and is this how the defenders and protestors of Lebanon are appreciated?"

In response to head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea's proposal under the name "Temporary Defensive Plan", MP Raad said this plan does not serve the aim of defending Lebanon; it is rather an attempt to find a temporary solution for Hizbullah's presence in the South.

Geagea's "Temporary Defensive Plan" proposal focused on the Odaisseh conflict and included a suggestion of strengthening the military units in the South by sending between three to four thousand units specialized in fighting, and spreading them inside cities, while the final authority belongs to the Lebanese army, with control over Hizbullah.

In the same context, head of the Lebanese Democratic Party, MP Talal Areslan clarified, "Our duty is not to find a way to abandon the resistance, it rather is to find a way to strengthen our defense position and benefit from the resistance's capabilities."

On his part, head of the Marada Movement, MP Suleiman Franjieh warned that some have not learned from previous lessons and are still striving for a crisis.

"No one can disarm Hizbullah by force, and the only way to reach a just and inclusive solution is by accepting the resistance's natural role in confronting "Israel", and supporting it in return", Franjieh said.