Geagea Says Failure to Adopt Baabda Declaration by Upcoming Govt Topples Dialogue
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed on Tuesday that the failure to adopt the Baabda Declaration as the policy statement of the new government will obstruct the resumption of the national dialogue between the rival parties.
“The ministerial statement of any cabinet should be clear in this regard,” Geagea said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.
He pointed out that the March 8 alliance’s integrity is at stake, saying: “If they refused to include the Baabda declaration in the ministerial statement, then their endeavors will be revealed.”
In the Baabda Declaration, 16 political leaders from both the March 8 majority coalition and the March 14 opposition agreed to avoid rhetoric that fuels sectarian incitement.
They also pledged to consolidate stability to prevent the country from descending into strife.
Concerning the upcoming parliamentary elections, Geagea lashed out at attempts to postpone the polls.
“The most significant signal we can send to the people and foreigners is that the constitutional life in the country is not twisted,” the Christian leader told the daily.
He pointed out that the Lebanese Forces is seeking the formation of a government capable of preparing for the polls and overseeing them.
Deep rift between the March 8 and 14 coalitions surfaced over the electoral system that would be adopted during the upcoming polls.
The majority insists on the adoption of the Orthodox proposal that considers Lebanon a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system, but it was opposed by President Michel Suleiman, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, al-Mustaqbal bloc, the Progressive Socialist Party, and the independent Christian MPs of the March 14 opposition, saying it harms the social fabric and increases sectarian tension.
Geagea said that the formation of a non-technocrat cabinet would instantly postpone the elections.
Miqati's resignation on March 22 further complicated the political crisis in Lebanon after signs began appearing that the Hizbullah-led March 8 forces are seeking a national salvation cabinet while the March 14 opposition alliance wants a neutral government.
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