Mustaqbal Hopes Dialogue with Hizbullah Will Curb Spread of 'Illegitimate Arms'

The Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc voiced on Wednesday its support for the dialogue between Hizbullah and the Mustaqbal Movement and its decision to remove political banners in some regions of the country, hoping for “better” measures that would further ease tensions.

It said in a statement after its weekly meeting: “We hope for more comprehensive and tangible measures that would tackle the spread of illegitimate weapons and armed groups in residential areas.”

“These groups negatively affect the situation in the country and the lives and security of its people,” it remarked.

Hizbullah and the Mustaqbal Movement agreed during their fifth round of dialogue on the removal of political flags and banners in Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon, and the coastal highway.

The Mustaqbal bloc hoped that this decision would be implemented throughout Lebanon.

The bloc also congratulated the people on the occasion of Mar Maroun Day, which fell on February 9, lamenting that it occurred in light of a vacuum in the presidency.

“The heavy vacuum reminded the Lebanese, and for the thousandth time, of the real effort that should be exerted by all political powers, especially those well-known sides that are obstructing the polls, to cooperate in order to speedily overcome this crisis and reach an agreement to elect a new president to restore normalcy at constitutional institutions,” it stressed.

Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps have thwarted the elections.

Citing the tenth anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the Mustaqbal bloc reiterated its commitment to the goals of the “Cedar Revolution” that is “aimed at defending the values of independence, sovereignty, freedom, moderation, accepting the other, and openness.”

It expressed its support to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that is investigating the February 14, 2005 murder of Hariri in a massive bombing in Beirut.

It hoped that the STL would succeed in uncovering the perpetrators “and put an end to impunity in Lebanon.”

“The bloc believes that positively dealing with the STL and facilitating its work are critical factors in national unity because they represent serious examples of the new rise of Lebanon,” it noted.

M.T.

Y.R.