An agreement on the substance, but the form is to be reviewed, according to the head of the Lebanese Hezbollah. Hassan Nasrallah affirmed, Tuesday, September 29, during a televised speech, supporting the Paris initiative in favor of the formation of a reforming government in Lebanon, while calling for a “Revision” tone and modus operandi.
“We always welcome the French initiative and are ready for dialogue and cooperation (…), but the way things have been done in the past month, the bullying having taken place (…) must not continue, otherwise we will not achieve a result ”, he warned.
French President Emmanuel Macron lambasted the “Collective betrayal” of the political class of the country of the cedar, the day after the renunciation by the Prime Minister, Moustapha Adib, to form a government of “Mission” – demanded by Paris – against a background of political quarrels.
“We do not accept that you accuse us of treason. (…) We categorically reject and condemn this condescending behavior towards us and towards all political forces in Lebanon ”, replied, Tuesday evening, Hassan Nasrallah.
“We greeted President Macron during his visit to Lebanon, but not on the basis that he is the prosecutor, the investigator, the judge, (…) the ruler and governor of Lebanon ”, continued the head of Hezbollah.
“A policy of intimidation”
Lebanese political parties, including Hezbollah, had pledged to Mr. Macron, who came to Beirut in early September, to form a cabinet of ministers “Competent” and “Independent” of the political landerneau within two weeks, a condition for the release of international aid essential to the recovery of the country in crisis.
But on Saturday, Mr. Adib, appointed on August 31, threw in the towel, highlighting the erosion of this consensus. His efforts were notably hampered by demands by Hezbollah and its ally Amal, led by the head of parliament, Nabih Berri, demanding to appoint the finance minister themselves.
Tuesday evening, Hassan Nasrallah returned to the charge, stressing the need for his formation to be part of the government, through supporters or not, to “Protect the rear of the resistance”.
In his inflammatory speech on Sunday evening, Emmanuel Macron spared no party, but he particularly attacked the Shiite Islamist party, which “Must not believe himself stronger than he is”. “You have a system of terror that has been set up and that Hezbollah has imposed”, he notably denounced.
“President Macron, who accused us of intimidation, is the one who practiced a policy of intimidation towards party leaders in order to” to form a government, replied Hassan Nasrallah.
