In a statement following its Saturday meeting in Maarab presided over by Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, the LF bloc said that “Resistance clause” of the Ministerial Statement—the sixth article of the document drafted on Thursday—contradicts the Lebanese constitution, Taif Accord and National Pact.

The LF bloc said the clause violates Article 65 of the Lebanese constitution, which limits issues requiring majority votes, such as the decisions of war and peace, to the cabinet. The statement also said that the Taif Accord does not mention the Resistance and added that the articles and clauses of the National Pact support the need to ensure state authority over all its territories, respect international resolutions and disarm all militias.

The LF bloc added that mentioning the Resistance in the Ministerial Statement pre-empts any decision on the issue in the National Dialogue, asking, “What is the use of the dialogue in this case?”

“In short, the sixth clause contradicts itself, the constitution, the Taif Accord, UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and other international resolutions. Therefore it contradicts the National Pact in addition to being unconstitutional and illegal,” the statement added. The LF bloc members called on the cabinet to either fix the clause or remove it.

The bloc also confirmed its “unlimited support” for Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar’s reforms in his ministry and called on him to continue his difficult campaign to “confront the excesses of many years of corruption and negligence.”

The bloc also condemned the opposition’s attacks against the Constitutional Council’s decision to reject all contestations to the results of the parliamentary elections.

-NOW Lebanon

Related Articles:

Information Minister Mitri says Ministerial Statement draft finalized