March 14 Conference Draws Opposition Criticism

by **Admin** Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:36 am

The pro-government ruling March 14 Alliance commemorated the third anniversary of the Cedar Revolution with renewed calls on the rival political parties to put differences aside and work hand-in-hand to build a strong, independent and sovereign Lebanon.
The conference held at the Beirut International Exhibition and Leisure (BIEL) Center on Friday was the first by the coalition to mark three years since the launch of the Cedar Revolution which led to the pullout of Syrian troops from Lebanon after ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination.

"We extend our hand and reiterate our call on all factions to overcome disagreements and participate in molding our common destiny," Fares Soueid, the coalition's secretary, told around 2,500 people at the conference entitled "Beirut Spring 2008."

"Together for the salvation of Lebanon, together for defending our right to live, together for living peacefully in a sovereign, democratic, and modern state," read the political declaration's opening lines.

The opposition was quick to react to the March 14 rally.

The Free Patriotic Movement of Gen. Michel Aoun criticized the "festival," saying March 14 leaders "fiercely attacked the opposition before extending a hand" to the Hizbullah-led March 8 Forces.

Meanwhile, Hizbullah's al Manar television, slammed the March 14 statement for labeling both Israel and Iran "enemies" of Lebanon.

"There is a contradiction between this (claim) and extending a hand to the other party," al Manar said on Friday's evening newscast.

March 14 rejected having two armies in Lebanon.

The declaration warned that "Lebanon should not have two armies which take orders from two authorities -- the Lebanese state and a foreign country," in reference to Hizbullah which is backed by Syria and Iran.

"Any form of resistance that leads to weakening the state and dividing the people cannot be described as true resistance," the declaration said.

"Internal unity safeguards and consolidates our independence," Soueid said, but lamented that "Lebanon, throughout its modern history, never witnessed the acute divisions we observe today."

The ruling coalition also called in its political declaration for a fresh start of relations with the Assad regime only if Damascus "acknowledges Lebanon's sovereignty and independence" through establishing diplomatic ties.

"Damascus must stop treating Lebanon as if it is a district of Syria," Soueid said.

MP Samir al-Jisr stressed in a speech during the inauguration of the conference that the March 14 forces were "determined to preserve Lebanon's independence and sovereignty."

Al-Jisr said: "We have failed to elect a president and enforce the authority of the state across the entire Lebanese territory, and there are still private security zones," in reference to Hizbullah's so-called Security Square in Beirut's southern suburbs.

Al-Jisr stressed the need to implement the Arab initiative which calls for the election of Army Chief Gen. Michel Suleiman president, the formation of a national unity cabinet and the adoption of an electoral law.

He warned that attempts to block Suleiman's election were "tantamount to destroying the state."

"Presidential elections are not a luxury but a necessity," he stressed.

Al-Jisr called for writing down a timetable for the full implementation of the Taef agreement which was not possible in the past years due to "international and regional conditions."

The conference initiated several workshops that would discuss fundamental issues such as the Taef accord, activating constitutional institutions, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, national reconciliation, economic development, Lebanese-Syrian relations, the Lebanese-Israeli conflict and Lebanese-Palestinian relations.

The conference ended by an announcement that a youth and immigrant's conference will be held in the coming weeks.
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