March 14 Forces to Issue Political Statement on Next Phase in Lebanon
The recent meeting for the March 14 forces that was held at the Maarab residence of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Saturday reached an agreement on a number of political issues and steps that they will undertake during the upcoming phase in Lebanon, reported the daily An Nahar on Tuesday.
It said that a statement listing the principles and issues they agreed upon will be issued within days or this week.
Informed sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published on Tuesday that the March 14 forces agreed on toppling the government, not backing down on this demand, working on overthrowing it through all possible democratic means, granting President Michel Suleiman the necessary time to hold political consultations, and boycotting the joint parliamentary committees.
An Nahar said that the core of the March 14 camp's political statement will be based on Mustaqbal bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora's speech during the funeral of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan on October 21.
He held the government responsible for the his death seeing as it is formed of pro-Syria forces and the March 14-led opposition has accused Syria of the crime.
Hasan was killed in a car bomb on October 19 in Beirut's Ashrafiyeh neighborhood.
The Phalange Party politburo echoed on Monday Saniora's demand by calling for the resignation of the government and the formation of a salvation one.
It also called for adopting the Baabda Declaration as the basis of the new cabinet's ministerial statement.
The Declaration was reached during the first national dialogue session that was held in June after a 19-month absence.
The Declaration, issued on June 11, calls for political and media calm in Lebanon, supporting the army, and keeping Lebanon away from regional and international disputes.
Phalange circles told An Nahar however that some differences remain among the March 14 powers over completely boycotting parliament work.
The head of the party, Amin Gemayel, considered the boycott unconstitutional if it includes Suleiman and his efforts to resume the national dialogue.
The March 14 camp had announced a boycott of all government activity, including the national dialogue that includes members of the cabinet.
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