ANSD : Tensions on the rise as Lebanon polls draw closer

FRI 22 - 11 - 2024

Date: Mar 20, 2018
Source: The Daily Star

Tensions on the rise as Lebanon polls draw closer

_{Hussein Dakroub| The Daily Star}
BEIRUT: Political tension, manifested in an exchange of inflammatory comments and a war of words between many rival factions, is escalating as the country is edging closer to its first parliamentary elections in nine years.

The heightened tension, which officials described as normal in the lead up to the elections set for May 6, also reflected the state of confusion and deep uncertainty gripping both allied and rival parties as they struggle to forge their electoral alliances in the polls that will be conducted for the first time under the new electoral system based on proportional representation.

Against the backdrop of political escalation, Lebanon is pressing ahead with its investment plans at the CEDRE conference, also known as Paris IV conference, to bolster the country’s heavily ailing economy and frail infrastructure.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Monday the government would submit to the CEDRE conference, set for April 6, not only its Capital Investment Program, but also a comprehensive vision for stability and sustainable long-term growth and job creation. He said the CEDRE conference to support investment in Lebanon’s infrastructure was another sign of the international community’s commitment to the country’s economic stability.

Hariri spoke a few days after the success of the Rome II conference during which France pledged to provide a 400 million euro ($493 million) line of credit to purchase weapons and equipment for the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces.

“We have just returned from Rome where 40 countries gathered to show strong support, commitment and contribution to the strengthening of the Lebanese military and security institutions. The success of this conference clearly indicates how much Lebanon is doing its part to become a viable player in the stability of the region, and how much the international community recognizes Lebanon as a strategic partner. I take this opportunity to reiterate my appreciation of the United Nations and Italy for co-chairing this conference,” Hariri said during a meeting of the High-Level Steering Committee at the Grand Serail in preparation for the CEDRE and Brussels conferences. The meeting was attended, in addition to some ministers, by the head of the EU delegation to Lebanon Ambassador Christina Lassen, U.N. officials and representatives of 45 countries and international institutions.

Thanking France for hosting the CEDRE conference, Hariri said: “CEDRE represents another important milestone to reaffirm the international community’s commitment to Lebanon’s economic stability and prosperity. The government is submitting to the conference not only its Capital Investment Program, but also a comprehensive vision for stability and sustainable long-term growth and job creation. This vision is underpinned with an increase in investments in infrastructure with an increased role for the private sector.”

The government has prepared a portfolio of more than 200 projects that it will take to CEDRE, in hopes of raising roughly $16 billion in investment from the international community and private sector.

Hariri reiterated the government’s commitment to the policy of dissociation from regional conflicts and noninterference in the internal affairs of Arab countries.

“On Dec. 5, the Lebanese government with all its components, committed to the policy of disassociation. This is today a collective responsibility.”

Hariri said the government’s objective at the Brussels conference is to ensure that Lebanon’s Crisis Response Program is appropriately funded and support to communities hosting Syrian refugees is substantial. The Brussels conference, to be held later in the spring, will focus on support for Syrian refugees in the region, including Lebanon.

Hariri warned the international community that failure to help Lebanon cope with the dire consequences of hosting 1.5 million Syrian refugees would push the displaced to seek refuge elsewhere. “I call again on our friends in the international community to help Lebanon in its huge task of hosting 1.5 million Syrians displaced, and I emphasize once again that ‘The dangers of failing to do so will not only be felt by us, but by the world at large.’ A failure to help Lebanon will force the displaced to seek refuge elsewhere,” Hariri said.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk said that heightened political tension was a natural hallmark of the electoral process, but that it should not continue after the elections. He also said that his ministry was 70 percent prepared for the elections.

“Every political tension now is part of the electoral process. We must not assume that this tension will continue after the elections,” Machnouk said after meeting President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace to brief him on the results and decisions of the Rome II Conference.

Speaker Nabih Berri, who has moved to the southern town of Msayleh to supervise his electoral campaign, urged his supporters to vote en masse in the elections.

“I appeal to our people in the Bekaa and South Lebanon to vote [in large numbers] in all districts in parliamentary elections on May 6 because this will guarantee victory,” Berri said during a meeting with a number of social media activists and heads of news websites at his residence in Msayleh. “Let them vote for what they want but what matters is a high participation by voters.”

Berri, whose Amal Movement is contesting the polls in joint tickets with Hezbollah in all districts in Lebanon, described the vote as “crucial and very important” that would decide the country’s future for the next four years.

The speaker reiterated that Israel remained the only enemy. “I don’t have enemies in Lebanon. In Lebanon, there are political disputes and rivalries, not animosities. The only enemy is Israel,” he said.

With the deadline for parties to submit their tickets for the elections expiring at midnight March 26, the Future Movement and the Lebanese Forces were reported to have agreed on an electoral alliance in the Baalbeck-Hermel district, while talks are continuing to reach a similar agreement in the northern district of Akkar and the Jezzine-Sidon-Zahrani district in the South.

Separately, a Cabinet session that was scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed for one day due to a major economic conference.

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