Miqati Calls for End to Exploitation of Arsal Clash that Only Serves to Widen Divide among Lebanese
Prime Minister Najib Miqati renewed on Wednesday his condemnation of the Arsal clash, calling on all sides to cooperate in handing over the assailants to the judiciary, while hoping that the national dialogue would be resumed.
He said: “We are obligated to reassure the people and not issue political statements, which some sides believe will increase their popularity, that only serve to widen the divide between the people.”
He made his remarks during a cabinet session that was held at the Baabda palace.
The premier stressed his support for the military institution, describing the Arsal attack as an “unacceptable and unjustified assault” against the authority of the state.
“We call on all sides to help ease the tensions that can have dangerous repercussions on Lebanon given the critical regional situation,” Miqati noted.
“As politicians, we must all be wary of the heated rhetoric and impulsive positions being issued. One must place national interests above all else,” he stressed.
To that end, the premier urged President Michel Suleiman to once again issue a call for the resumption of national dialogue, which is a necessity at the moment.
He hoped that all concerned sides would comply with the call for dialogue in order to hold talks that would help fortify and protect Lebanon.
A clash broke out between the army and gunmen in the Bekaa town of Arsal on Friday as the former was attempting to arrest a wanted suspect.
Two officers, Pierre Bashaalani and Ibrahim Zahraman, and Khaled Hmayyed, the suspect, were killed in the ensuing clash.
Miqati also stressed the importance of the judiciary “as one of the main components of the state.”
“It should be fortified and kept away from political disputes, while simultaneously maintaining the freedom of expression of everyone, including lawmakers,” he added during the cabinet session.
“The president of the republic should also be kept out of these disputes and we are certain that the justice minister would be able to resolve all issues linked to the judiciary,” he said in an indirect reference to MP Butros Harb's announcement that he will file a lawsuit against General Prosecutor Judge Hatem Madi.
On Tuesday, the MP decided to file the lawsuit after Madi requested that he be stripped of his parliamentary immunity over statements he made over President Michel Suleiman and the judiciary.
Harb condemned the request and instead accused Madi of being biased in his handling of judicial affairs, including the investigation in the attempt on his life in July 2012.
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