The Prime
Minister-Designate Tammam Salam said that the volatile situation in the region
may complicate the formation of a new cabinet, noting that the loss of
confidence between the Lebanese political parties leads to deep crises.
In a statement to
as-Safir Daily, Salam stressed that he has not yet lost hope in the possibility
of forming a cabinet, stressing that he is “still insisting on forming a coherent
government that does not transfer the street fights to the ministers’ seats.”
However, Salam said that
he does not intend to resign, pointing out that resignation is the “worst
solution” that could be chosen.
Commenting on the
initiative presented by Speaker Nabih Berri, Salam stressed that Berri’s
initiative must be given more time to be finalized, praising Berri's intentions and
efforts.
MP Ahmad Fatfat
reiterated that he is sure that Hezbollah took part in the Abra clashes for
several reasons, noting that the statement launched by caretaker Defense
Minister Fayez Ghosn in this regard is not accurate and that the videos which
were previously released by the media will be displayed during the next meeting of
the National Defense Parliamentary Committee. He added that the videos clearly
show Hezbollah members participating in the fighting.
Fatfat told
al-Joumhouria daily that the events that took place in Abra were an attack
against the Lebanese Army, stressing that everyone stood by the LAF soldiers
and supported them.
Answering a question on
whether the national defense committee will reach precise conclusions on the case or the
political conflicts between March 8 and 14 will hinder its work; Fatfat said
that there some parties attempting to hamper the committee’s work by "making a scene out of it".
Security sources said that there are serious
concerns regarding the possibility of implementing attacks in a number of
regions, according to information exchanged by local and international security
apparatuses.
The sources told
al-Joumhouria Newspaper that the
security apparatuses “missed out on” the attack that targeted Bir al-Abed
neighborhood in Beirut Southern Suburbs despite the strong efforts deployed in
order to carry out intensive surveillance over a number of groups.
While refusing to reveal any information
regarding the incident, the same sources confirmed that investigations are
underway along a series of preventive measures intensified during the past
few hours, amid an unprecedented coordination between the different security
apparatuses.
Military sources told
an-Nahar Daily that caretaker Defense
Minister Fayez Ghosn said that the Lebanese Armed Forces were the only forces
to fight during the Abra clashes, in response to a question on whether or not
Hezbollah was involved in the battles.
The sources noted that the participation of the LAF in the
upcoming national defense meeting and the display of more videos will be a
decision to be made by caretaker Minister Ghosn, stressing that the
military institution should not be questioned and accused of receiving help
from another party.
On the other hand, the same sources revealed that the “LAF
have videos worse than the ones displayed during the national defense meeting,
but the army command refuses to expose them in respect to the martyrs and their
relatives,” noting however that in case the campaign against the army
continues, then the videos may be displayed.