Sfeir: Syrian army is gone but Syria's influence continues

by **Admin** Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:40 am

Lebanon's Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir said" the Lebanese no longer know how to get out from this crisis," adding that" a meaningful dialogue is much better than dialogue in the streets."

Sfeir said "he is concerned about the security situation in Lebanon as a result of the political crises and the verbal attacks and counter attacks between the ruling majority and the opposition". He added "Wars first start with words"

Sfeir, who was talking to reporters at Bkirki said that he is concerned about the vacuum created by the blocking of the presidential elections, the closure of the parliament and the ongoing plot to divide the army and added. " Thanks God they failed in dividing the army".

Sfeir questioned the wisdom of refurbishing the government" by adding one or 2 ministers". He said what is the point, since all the resigned ministers are handling their official functions ...on a discretionary basis ". He said in the past whenever there was a crises a mini government of 4 ministers was formed until a president is elected after which a broad -based government was formed

Sfeir praised the efforts of Bishop Boulos Mattar in ending the inter Christian rift. He was alluding to the meetings the Bishop had with General Michel Aoun and former MP Suleiman Franjieh, who are members of the Iranian and Syrian backed Hezbollah-led opposition. Sfeir said "I regret the fact that some officials do not feel the imminent danger to the homeland and added "the responsibility for not electing the President of the Republic starts with all the officials at home and ends with the officials abroad". He was referring to the blocking of the elections by General Aoun , his Hezbollah allies and their backers in Iran and Syria.

Sfeir concluded: "The Syrian army is gone but the Syrian influence in Lebanon is stronger today using other means", in reference to Syria's allies in Lebanon.