Former Lebanese President Emile Lahoud talked to Al-Manar Website on major developments in Lebanon and the region, particularly the current events in Syria.

Sayyed Nasrallah Has Strong Argument, Requires no Explanation; Israeli Hostility Decides Times of War, Resistance Decides Times of Victory; ‘Army, People, Resistance’ Formula Established with Blood and Martyrdom; Syria’s Force Stems from its President, People and Army; Targeting UNIFIL Serves Israel since Enemy Media Accused Hezbollah; Miqati’s Government is of Diverse Majority; March 14 and Future Exploited the Blood; Confiscating Martyrdom for Political Goals not Possible Anymore; What Happens in Syria not Public Intifada, but Armed Assault.

 

On the anniversary of the Divine Victory over the Israeli enemy in July 2006 war; Al-Manar Website interviewed former Lebanese President Emile Lahoud.

Q: What would the Resistant President said (just like his eminence Sayyed Nasrallah had called you) on the fifth anniversary of July victory since you lived that period?

President Lahoud: I would say the same as every Lebanese who believes in the strength of Lebanon, the pride of its people and the power of its army and its resistance, that the national fixed standards which I have never deviated from, have resulted in a patriotic combat doctrine for the Lebanese Armed Forces as well as a pioneer and well protected Resistance force that has been able to achieve the most glorious victories on the “invincible army”, thus exalting both Lebanon and the Arab nation as a whole.

Q: Does Sayyed Nasrallah’ last speech require reading between lines, or it was clear for friend and enemy? Do you expect any imminent war between Lebanon and the Zionist enemy?

President Lahoud: His Eminence Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah has a very strong and cogent argument that neither needs explanation nor requires reading between lines. His promise is sincere in both words and deeds. This is why he enjoys unequaled credibility comparing to the leaders involved in national or public affairs in Lebanon and the Arab world.

As for the possibility of an imminent war Between Lebanon and the Zionist enemy, I personally do not trust this enemy and I don’t see that the resistance is seeking after war. This actually means that hostility is what determines the timing of any war and the resistance is always attentive to possible danger; hence, it determines the timing of reaction and victory.

Q: Starting from what Sayyed Nasrallah presented about the illegality of the court and its increasing corruption, alongwith the suspicious court panel, do you see any legitimacy in the court today? And on the other hand, how do you read the accusing of Hezbollah leaders of Hariri’s assassination, and in which direction such accusations will continue. What are the duties of the Lebanese government today?

President Lahoud: The formula of Army, People, and Resistance has been established with blood, martyrdom, and sacrifices on Lebanese soil; the land of liberation and victory. This formula was never mere ink on paper. It is the most effective equation that enables Lebanon, at any time, to derive power from its own force through complete cohesion and interaction between the people - being the sovereign owner, the army - being the protector, and the resistance - being the achiever of victories.

The formula of Army, People, and Resistance has been established with blood, martyrdom, and sacrifices. This formula was never mere ink on paper. It is the most effective equation that enables Lebanon, at any time, to derive power from its own force through complete cohesion and interaction between the people - being the sovereign owner, the army - being the protector, and the resistance - being the achiever of victories.

From the very first moment I laid my eyes on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon draft agreement and its basic system, I understood that the STL was a political project. It can be used by the project’s political authority for political solicitation at any time. What legitimacy remains for a tribunal that considers itself to be operating according to the highest international standards of criminal justice, when the course of international investigation has been marred by shortcomings like violating the rule of confidentiality, corruption and corrupt people, political settlements, dictating false witnesses, arbitrarily arresting security officers and other innocent people, random charges, and finally settle down on the most difficult link in the chain of the resistance axis, namely Hezbollah.

Accusing Hezbollah cadres of being involved in the assassination of Hariri, contradicts with the simplest rules of criminal science: Who benefits from this crime? Surely it is neither Lebanon nor its stability, and neither Syria, nor the Resistance. Those parties are harmed once targeting them serves the interests of the Israeli enemy. The Lebanese government should deal responsibly with the targeting of Lebanese resistance fighters, because such matters do not fall within reconciliations, compromises or grey zones.

Q: For the second time in about two months, two UNIFIL units were targeted in one geographical area. MP Walid Jumblatt expressed fears that this would lead a vacuum in the South for Israeli’s favor. Israeli media accuses Hezbollah today of targeting UNIFIL in Sidon recently. In your opinion, what is the message behind this targeting in your opinion, and who benefits from such operation?

President Lahoud: We can realize from Israeli media accusations to Hezbollah of attacking UNIFIL forces, that the attack serves Israel. The attacker or the side that planned the attack is interested in clearing out the battle zone of international soldiers and observers, for the purpose of committing crimes against humanity, driving out innocent civilians from their villages, and damaging the country’s infrastructure, under the blind eye of the international legitimacy. Always seek the enemy and its interests, without forgetting its patrons’ position which always yields to those interests.

Q: Amid economic and livelihood issues, especially the file of oil and gas, what do you think of Najib Miqati’s government. Do you think it will meet expectations and achieve goals?

President Lahoud: The government of PM Najib Miqati is formed of a diverse majority that gave the Lebanese people the chance to anticipate a type of rule different from the one they were used to since 1992; the rule that resulted in huge debts just because the then ruling elite failed to create a time schedule for the priorities of construction projects. We cannot forget the squandering of public money and the political corruption which gave every opinion leader a certain price. The current government is required to give economic and subsistence matters ultimate priority, especially old-age security, the comprehensive medical care card, the States intermediaries, controlling unproductive expenditure, eliminating substitute administrations, and all other practices that do not differentiate between public and private affairs.

Q: There is a vicious attack led particularly by March 14 and Future Movement against the new cabinet, along with a threat of international boycott, insistence on bringing it down, and giving it different names, like the government of Hezbollah. Do you consider it a successful attack? And who benefits of it whether inside Lebanon or abroad?

President Lahoud: The March 14 assault is doomed to failure. It reminds me of the “get out” campaign against me parallel to another campaign accusing senior security officers of killing Hariri; a murder they are clear of. I frankly see that the March 14 bloc and the Mustaqbal (Future) Party have exploited Hariri’s blood to the full extent. They cannot exploit Hariri’s martyrdom for political and authoritative ends anymore. They are not used to the principle of rotational authority, and that for every era there is a State and there are men, and that the people is fed up with them and their sheer political wrangling which had a negative impact on the welfare of the Lebanese and their psychological and financial stability.

Q: How do you see the Arab revolutions - or the Arab spring - amid talking on a western attempt to wrap, contain and eliminate them?

President Lahoud: The Arab revolutions have not settled on new and distinguished leaders. In this context, a position by Patriarch (Bechara) Al-Ra’i caught my attention. He said that most of the Arab revolutions come within the framework of a Zionist scheme to break-up the region. I fully support his stance with respect to what is happening in Syria, because what is taking place there is not a popular uprising; it is an armed assault. 

Q: How do you evaluate the situation in Syria? Do you believe President Bashar Al-Assad and Syria as a whole are out of danger, especially amid expectations that western pressure over Syria may recede significantly in September, due to the French elections, Palestinian statehood declaration, and other issues, where each state will be busy with its own affairs?

President Lahoud: From the outset of the incidents in Syria, I said that this country shall emerge stronger from this armed assault and I’m still convinced of it. The proof is the UNSC presidential statement that was issued a couple of days ago which clarifies how some major states have different understanding than Israel’s sponsors vis-à-vis the events in Syria. I do not reckon with what’s expected to happen generally in the West including the declaration of the Palestinian State at the UN, that’s because Syria’s power is generated from within; from President Bachar Assad, his people and army. They are all cautious of the armed assaults and determined to defend Syria.

-- Interviewed by: Wael Karaki