MP Ali Khreis says in exclusive interview with Al-Manar website atmosphere of last twenty-four hours positive ’to some extent’

MP Ali Khreis to Al-Manar Website:
June 8 Session Cannot Be a Challenge to Any Party
Atmosphere of Last 24 Hours Positive ‘to Some Extent’
There’s External Pressure… Proven by US Envoy’s Activity
Taif Accord Not Holy Book… We Agree with Sayyed Nasrallah
They Seek Parliament’s Death… Void Leads to Chaos!

Member of the Development and Liberation parliamentary bloc in Lebanon MP Ali Khreis said that the atmosphere of the last twenty-four hours was positive “to some extent.” However, he said it was not possible to reflect such optimism on ground, as previous experiences have shown progress could suddenly collapse, pushing things back to square one.

In an exclusive interview with Al-Manar website, Khreis spoke of external pressure behind the current delay in the cabinet formation process. He questioned the “activity” of US Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly whenever a positive atmosphere appears.

MP Khreis stressed Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s call to hold a general session cannot be considered a challenge to anybody. He said that it was not acceptable to obstruct constitutional institutions, at the top of which comes the Parliament. He wondered how those who slammed the session as unconstitutional had accepted a similar session in 2005 and under the same conditions. (Referring to the session in which the pardon for Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea was adopted)

While expressing belief the latest stances made by the head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt reflect his commitment to the country’s interest, Khreis said he fully agrees with Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah in his vision of the Taif accord and the need to develop the Lebanese system.

EXTERNAL REASONS BEHIND DELAY
The Lebanese lawmaker told Al-Manar website that a positive atmosphere “to some extent” prevailed during the last 24 hours, in relation to the cabinet formation process. He pointed to the difficulty of reflecting such atmosphere on ground, based on previous experiences when optimism could suddenly collapsed.

Khreis spoke of external pressure behind the delay in the cabinet formation process, and said “there were some vetoes on assigning specific portfolios to the main political parties in the country”.

While he warned that the delay in forming the government would create void and eventually lead to chaos, he stressed that all parties, mainly Prime Minister-Designate Najib Miqati in coordination with President Michel Sleiman, should assume their responsibilities.

Khreis said that meetings must intensify during the upcoming hours. He hailed the major role played in this context by Parliament Speaker’s political assistant MP Ali Hasan Khalil and Hezbollah Secretary General’s political advisor Hajj Hussein Khalil.

THE ‘ACTIVE’ AMBASSADOR…
The Amal Movement MP underlined the US interference in the cabinet formation process, reflected by the activity of US ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly who has visited Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday.

According to a US embassy statement, Connelly reiterated U.S. view that the international community will assess its relationship with any new government in Lebanon based on the make-up of the next cabinet, its ministerial statement and its position vis-a-vis the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and Lebanon’s other international obligations.

Khreis pointed out to the fact that “the US ‘active’ ambassador only interferes whenever progress appears in the horizon, especially when it comes to resolving a major deadlock”. “This ambassador seems to be seeking division among Lebanese,” Khreis said, signaling Connelly’s visit to Internal Security Forces Chief Ashraf Rifi, following the Telecoms Ministry incidents.

Concerning her visit to Speaker Berri, Khreis noted that the Speaker usually receives all diplomats in Lebanon. He recalled that Berri did not meet with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman during his latest visit to Lebanon because his schedule was full. The MP noted that the Speaker was at the same time delivering a message, to whom it may concern, that the US pressure is worthless whether in Lebanon or in the region.

Khreis pointed out to US, European, and pro-Western regimes in the region pressure on Syria. He warned that Syria was required to separate itself from the Resistance in Lebanon and Palestine as well as to isolate itself from Iran and head to the other direction, “which could not happen as we all know the Syrian commitment to the region’s causes.”

JUNE 8 SESSION NOT CHALLENGE TO ANYBODY
The lawmaker stressed Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s call to hold a general session at the parliament next week was not a challenge to anybody.

Earlier in the week, and despite fierce opposition from the part of the March 14 bloc, Berri called for a parliamentary session on June 8 to discuss legal proposals and draft laws.

Addressing those who slammed the session as unconstitutional and illegal as it’s held under a caretaker government, Khreis wondered “how did they accept a similar session which was held under the same conditions in 2005”? He was referring to the session which adopted pardon for Lebanese Forces Chief Samir Geagea.

He noted that the Lebanese were facing very critical issues, especially at the economic and financial levels. “Thus, it’s not possible to obstruct the institutions, at the top of which comes the Parliament,” he said.

Asked about the decision of PM-Designate Najib Miqati, Minister Mohamad Safadi and MP Ahmad Karami to boycott the session, Khreis said “the three men may be not convinced with this decision. Perhaps, they don’t want to close open channels with the other bloc”.

Miqati, Safadi and Karami issued a joint statement in which they said they have decided not to attend the session “to preserve the role of institutions and out of their conviction not to widen the gap between the Lebanese.”

Khreis undermined, meanwhile, claims the session was meant to embarrass the other bloc. “Is the Parliament absent, or are they seeking the death of this institution as well?” he wondered.

I FULLY AGREE WITH SAYYED NASRALLAH
The Development and Liberation bloc MP Ali Khreis expressed belief that the latest stances made by the head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt reflect the latter’s commitment to national interest. He said that Jumblatt wanted to push all blocs to accelerate efforts to form the government. Khreis added that he also agreed with Jumblatt that delay in the cabinet formation process would lead to void and chaos. He recalled that Jumblatt had never said he was part of the March 8 forces, but that he was centrist “and this is what he’s seeking to prove at the moment”.

MP Khreis said that Jumblatt had yet to announce his final stance from the June 8 general session. He stressed, however, that Speaker Nabih Berri will not back off if the session faced lack of quorum, adding that he will  call for a second, third and fourth session until it is held “because all what he wants is to safeguard the country”.

Asked about the debate on the Taif Accord and the possibility of amending it, the AMAL movement lawmaker said he fully adopted the latest speech of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah in this context. He stressed discussing a possible amendment of the Taif Agreement required different conditions. However, he said that the Taif Accord was not a holy book, and therefore, amending it was possible, but amid better circumstances.