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| Lebanon's News Highlights As reported by the Lebanese media on June 25, 2005 • Hariri visits Geagea: Saad Hariri, leader of the Sunni-dominated Future Movement, visited Samir Geagea today in his jail cell at the defense ministry. During the meeting, which went on for about 90 minutes, the two discussed the general development after the elections, the importance of maintaining the alliance between the two groups, and nurturing national unity. Geagea is the leader of the now-defunct Christian Lebanese Forces Party, which has allied itself with Future and Walid Jumblat's Progressive Socialist Party, and won six deputies in the new parliament. Aoun welcomes cooperation: FPM leader MP Michel Aoun declared from his Rabieh residence his willingness to accept the hand extended to him by MP Saad Hariri, leader of the Sunni-dominated Future Movement, stressing that any such cooperation must translate the reform program set by his Movement. • Berri's Reelection: Media reports said opinion is still divided on whether or not to support Nabih Berri's nomination for another term in parliament. Opposition forces were still divided on the issue and consultations were still going on to finalize a united position. Hariri and the Christian opposition front known as Qornet Shahwan had not made their final decision on the speakership of the house and head of government, but is blieved to be in favor of a change at all levels including the speaker of the house. Beirut MP Gebran Tueni said that removal of President Emile Lahoud will become more difficult if Berri stays on. • Berri-Sfeir meeting: A meeting was held Friday between Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, the first in four years. Berri is considered most likely to win the vote of the new 128-member Parliament but on Friday, former Speaker Hussein al-Husseini announced his candidacy for the speaker post. Following his meeting with Sfeir, Berri said he carried to the patriarch a "verbal" plan to consolidate national unity in the country. He said: "I did not come to discuss the issue of parliament speaker. I came here carrying a verbal plan, a plan for weaving national unity in the country. We are now in dire need for this national front whose banner would be economic and social salvation," he told reporters following the meeting. • US prefers removing Berri and Lahoud: : In a special report from Washington, An Nahar's correspondent Hisham Milhem said the American administration "prefers Lahoud and Berri would go." Melhem quoted unnamed official sources as saying that Lahoud and Berri "are responsible for a political and security system that has caused harm to the country and it's now time for them to go." This is only a wish by Washington, and translating it into practical action "is left up to the new Parliament. But it will not be an easy task." The report went on to say "neither the United States nor France is comfortable with Lahoud in office." The sources said Washington prefers to see someone else replace Berri, but "not any one close to Hizbullah," which is on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations. "The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know," the sources were reported as saying. • Husseini announces candidacy: Former speaker MP Hussein Husseini announced his intention to run for speaker. In a statement issued Friday, he said that the head of parliament is for all Lebanon and not the head of the Shiites and their MPs, adding that it is time for the people to decide the matter for their benefit and not the benefit of a certain individual or sect. For these reasons, he said, "I announce my candidacy for the post of speaker. I call on all my MP colleagues to support my candidacy. No, to a country dominated by sectarianism, whether open or masked." • Poltitians advised to take precautions: The London-based Asharq Al Awsat newspaper reported that France has advised Lebanese politicians to take precautions to protect themselves in light of the latest waves of terrorist bombings. It has also informed Syria that normalizing Syrian-French ties hinges on the results of investigation into the February 14 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. • Attempt to Burn MP Franjieh's house: Unknown assailants attepmted Thursday to burn down the house of newly elected MP Samir Franjieh in the northern town of Ehden. Franjieh, a member of the Qornet Shahwan Christian won a seat in Parliament last Sunday in the elections in the north. Samir Franjieh is the cousin and rival of pro-Syrian Suleiman Franjieh, who lost his long-time seat as MP in Sunday's elections. Sources said the unknown assailants broke into the house and attempted to ignite a fire in it but did not cause extensive damage. |
