‘Lebanon is implementing (UN) Resolution 1701 while Israel is dragging its feet and is showing intransigence’, Lebanese Prime Minister Fu’ad al-Siniora told a joint press conference last Saturday after a meeting with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
Siniora started the conference by saying: ‘I welcome my friend Javier Solana to Lebanon. We had a good meeting.
‘We discussed several issues starting with the implementation of Resolution 1701 and how the UN carries out this task in all honesty, and the points that have not been implemented yet, owing to the lack of cooperation by Israel.
‘We also spoke about cooperation between the Lebanese army and the international forces, as well as the continuation of air violations over Lebanese air space, which amount to an Israeli violation of Resolution 1701.
‘We spoke about the question of the Shabaa Farms, which is very important for Lebanon. These lands are Lebanese and they are occupied by Israel. It is part of the seven points approved by the government and by everybody at the international level.’
Siniora added that he and Solana discussed the situation in Iraq, preparations for the Paris-3 Conference, the Palestinian camps in Lebanon and the peace process in the region.
Siniora continued: ‘We have reiterated to Mr Solana that Lebanon is implementing Resolution 1701 while Israel is dragging its feet and is showing intransigence, especially concerning the continuing sorties, the question of Al-Ghajar and the Shabaa Farms, let alone the existence of mines, whose maps we have not received.
‘This is in addition to the Lebanese detainees in Israeli prisons, while acknowledging that there are two Israeli soldiers who are still in detention.
‘We have to draw conclusions from the recent Israeli aggression.
‘It is important to find a solution to the situation, starting with the Shabaa Farms and addressing the Palestine question, which is one of the key problems in the Arab and Islamic worlds.
‘We also discussed government efforts to maintain unity between the Lebanese and tackle the results of the recent Israeli aggression, especially the problem of the destruction and how the government should handle these issues.
‘The government has started to extend the assistance that was approved for the villages, based on the mechanisms that were put in place.
‘We spoke about what is happening in the West Bank and Gaza and how these things do not help at all in achieving stability in the Arab region.
‘I also heard from Mr Solana continuing emphasis on Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty and willingness to support Lebanon politically and economically, including active EU participation in order to tackle the economic situation.’
For his part, EU envoy Solana said: ‘Regarding the matters that have not been implemented, like the air violations, I have come from Israel and I can assure you that I spoke with the Israeli prime minister and defence minister and explained to them seriously that this should stop and that everybody should implement Resolution 1701.
‘I also want to tell you that we are in touch with the UN secretary-general to follow up on the situation with the Security Council.’
In answer to a journalist’s questions about the articles that have not been implemented in Resolution 1701, Solana said: ‘The implementation of the resolution with regard to the part related to the forces deployed on the ground is going well.
‘A certain number of (UN) troops were deployed. I spoke this morning with the general who is in charge of these forces and he said that he might not need more forces now.
‘Another important thing is the good relationship between the enhanced forces and the Lebanese army.
‘This is important. The Lebanese armed forces are deployed on all the territories, and cooperation with UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is going well.
‘The other matters that should be implemented are related to the Shabaa Farms. We are waiting for the report of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in this respect, and we hope that this will lead to a solution to the Shabaa Farms.
‘This will be a very positive thing for stability in Lebanon.
The other thing that should happen in the future is to maintain the cooperation between the EU and Lebanon.
‘There will be an important moment and an important date in Paris in January.
‘I hope that the Paris-3 Conference will be very successful and that it will help your country to obtain the necessary resources to embark on the reconstruction of the damage resulting from the war.’
Asked about his discussion with the Israelis about the air violations and the continued presence of israeli troops in Al-Ghajar village, Solana says: ‘This question has to do with the implementation of Resolution 1701.
‘This is not the responsibility of the EU; it is the responsibility of the UN Security Council. On behalf of the EU we are carrying out some initiatives, but the primary initiative should be carried out by the Security Council. We are helping Lebanon.’
Siniora was asked whether he had discussed with Solana the existence of weapons in southern Lebanon and about a reported clash between UNIFIL and Hezbollah.
The Lebanese prime minister said: ‘In fact, we have not been informed about any clash with Hezbollah.
‘As Solana said, the UN forces are there to support the Lebanese army. The rules of engagement are very clear.
‘We know that the instructions given to the Lebanese army are clear and unambiguous regarding its operations in the area extending from southern Al-Litani to the international border.
‘The army has gone there after more than 35 years to be with its citizens and with those who defended Lebanon and its dignity and who confronted the Israeli attack.
‘These instructions affirm that there is no place that is off limits for the Lebanese army south of Al-Litani and that the army should confiscate any weapon and prevent any armed presence in any form in that area.’
Asked whether he has fears about any illegal actions on the streets of Lebanon, Al-Siniora replied: ‘I have heard a lot about this. I want to be clear. Regarding all the Lebanese, there are two things that we should consider a real red line.
‘The first is maintaining security and stability, the interests of the homeland and the Lebanese economy, and unity among the Lebanese.
‘The second thing is defending the right of every Lebanese to free expression, provided that this should not lead to disrupting security or harming the interests of the people or stability.
‘We stick to these two things. I take pride in the position of any Lebanese who wants to express his opinion freely, provided that he does not harm others and provided that he does not prevent others from performing their work.
‘This also should not disrupt security. This is their right, and it is the duty of this government to preserve this right for every citizen who wants to express his opinion.’
Al-Siniora urged all the Lebanese to abide by the law and not to embark on any action that might cause instability in the country or that might harm others.
He asked the Lebanese to sit together and agree on what serves their interests. He said there is no alternative to ‘dialogue’ and ‘cooperation’.
• The office of parliament Speaker Nabih Birri issued the following statement last Saturday night: ‘Given the prior engagements of some leaders before and after the date set for the deliberations, it has been decided that the deliberative meeting would be held at 1100 (0800 gmt) on Monday, 6 November, at the Chamber of Deputies instead of this Monday (30 October) as stated in the announced work agenda.’
