Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Helo told Al-Manar website that the tribunal only aims at targeting the resistance, and indicated that former PM Saad Hariri was ready to barter truth for power.

MP Michel Helo to Al-Manar Website:
March 14 Forces Announced War… We Won’t Surrender
Tribunal Seeks to Target Resistance, Tarnish Its Image
We Can’t Pardon Corruptors Whatever Was the Price
Their Logic of Power Is Based on “Me or No Body”
Threats Baseless… Other Bloc Must Be Conscious
Hariri Was Ready to barter Truth for Power

Member of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc in Lebanon MP Michel Helo said that March 14 forces decided to boycott the Lebanese state and declared war on the state, government as well as the Lebanese people and their interests.

In an exclusive interview with Al-Manar Website, Helo said that Prime Minister Najib Miqati was finally convinced that March 14 bloc didn’t want partnership. He condemned the policy adopted by the bloc through its latest statement that incited the international community against the Lebanese government, and called on foreign governments to boycott it.

“The Lebanese will not surrender to such threats,” he said.

Helo, who was speaking on the eve of the parliamentary session to discuss the government’s policy statement, wished the discussions would remain democratic, and hoped the other part would not fabricate any problem at any level. He called on this part to accept the rotation of power principle, away from the logic of “me or no body.”

TRIBUNAL TOOL IN BIGGER PROJECT

MP Helo expected that the speeches to be delivered during the parliamentary sessions would focus on the international tribunal, where both views would be explored: one regarding the tribunal as divine and another believing that it is nothing but a tool that was formed to target the resistance and tarnish its image, as part of the American-Israeli plot to create sedition among the Lebanese in order to serve the interests of the great powers as well as Israel’s security.

Helo said that his political bloc would also raise the issues related to corruption witnessed by the Lebanese people throughout the last stage. He said that all the aspects of this stage, starting with corruption, debts, economic collapse, crimes, in addition to crises that negatively affected the Lebanese situation at all levels, would be discussed during the session.

He stressed that raising such issues would not aim at criticizing the new government but would be addressed to the previous stage in which the other bloc governed the whole country.

OTHER BLOC MUST BE CONSCIOUS

Helo expressed hope that all discussions would respect the Lebanese democratic system. He wished the other bloc would not resort to create any problem at any level, and said it was not appropriate for the Lebanese people’s representatives to divert their discussions’ hall from dialogue.

Answering a question, Helo noted that it was not possible for his political bloc to remain quiet in face of corruption. “It is not acceptable for anybody to forgive when it is related to the people’s money. It is the least of our duties as a parliament and as political sides representing the Lebanese people to follow up these issues with determination and therefore, we cannot forgive any corruptor whatever the price was.”

MARCH 14 BLOC DECLARED WAR

Turning to the tense rhetoric between March 14 forces and Prime Minister Najib Miqati, the Change and Reform lawmaker said that Miqati’s response to March 14’s statement was nothing but the truth that should be said loudly. “After the diplomacy adopted by Miqati, and despite all his attempts to absorb the other bloc, it seems that this bloc have decided to cut all lines and intends, as it announced, to boycott the Lebanese State. This bloc has even declared war on the state, government, people and their interests.”

The Lebanese lawmaker denounced the incitement rhetoric adopted by March 14 in urging the international community to boycott the Lebanese government and its actions that are related to people’s lives and fates. He said that this bloc is adopting the logic of “me or no body.”

“In another sense, we should either say yes to the Future movement or no to Lebanon. This is unacceptable and we will not surrender to such threats. The Lebanese nation will not surrender whatever they try to do.”

While noting that March 14 forces have declared war on Miqati since the moment he was designated to form the government, he said that the premier has given his opponents a long time before perceiving their intentions. “His response was appropriate and accurate,” he said, and emphasized that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri was ready to barter the tribunal, truth, justice and all similar expressions for power and money.

READY TO SHOW SELF-RESTRAINT

MP Helo said that all political leaderships should be conscious in dealing with such a critical stage, and he pointed to the wise calls made in this context by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun in this context. He said that the calmness that prevailed in light of the release of the so-called indictment in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri’s case was reassuring, and said that all these leaderships have expressed readiness to show self-restraint in face of any potential reaction by the other bloc.

He urged the other bloc to show some consciousness in facing this critical stage. “They must accept the rotation of power principle, which is one of the most important principles of democracy in Lebanon and other civilized states where the opposition could turn to loyalty and vice-versa.”

He further stressed that “as a government, organizations, and people, we should unite to confront the upcoming challenges.”

In conclusion, Helo expressed belief that the government would be able to face all challenges, and undermined all threats. “When the government is united, it will be able to confront all pressures,” he said.