Interview with former Lebanese Minister, a leader of the Lebanese Phalangist (Kataeb) Party, former MP, lawyer Eli Marouni
– There is no doubt that Lebanon has witnessed tragedies, but do you think that after all the destruction, Lebanon now has a historic opportunity to emerge as a state?
Lebanon was caught between two nightmares: the Syrian regime and the weapons of Hezbollah. Hezbollah led us to a war in which Lebanon has no interest. I am not against Hezbollah as a political party, but rather as a military presence. Lebanon now has a very short time and opportunity to move towards establishing a functional statehood.
We are now moving towards a real state by electing a president, so that we make our state and legislative/executive institutions functional, and the Lebanese army will have the exclusive right to carry weapons, a Lebanese government that is truly created in Lebanon, focused on serving the Lebanese people.
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– Many people find it difficult to understand the tentative temporary ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, the three parties – Hezbollah, the pro-Lebanese sovereignty political forces and Israel – seem to be talking about different versions of this temporary settlement. A Hezbollah MP said that Hezbollah, first of all, does not have a publicly visible army, the Israelis are threatening to return to war if they see Hezbollah’s armed presence near the Litani River. What will be the fate of Hezbollah’s weapons?
– All international resolutions must be strictly and fully implemented, the Lebanese Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament agreed to this agreement, which clearly states that there will be no armed presence in Lebanon, except for the legitimate Lebanese national armed forces, 90% of the Lebanese want peace, stability, statehood, it is unacceptable that “Hezbollah” drags us into war every 2-3 years.
This agreement states that there will be no more armed groups inside Lebanon, except for the Lebanese army and internal security forces.
If Lebanon had implemented the UN resolutions, we would have avoided all these martyrs and destruction.
“Hezbollah” is not allowed to observe a very clear agreement interpreted according to its will. The agreement is clear, the Lebanese state will extend its exclusive control over Lebanon.
Everything is destroyed, we need complete and final reconstruction and the return of the Lebanese from abroad to Lebanon.
– There is a serious fear that if the Lebanese army tries to seize Hezbollah’s weapons by force, this could lead to a Lebanese civil war.
Today, the Lebanese have become learned the terrible consequences of war and are fully aware of it, and no one will support an internal conflict.
The agreement clearly states – I will read the exact phrase:
“If Hezbollah wants to abide by international agreements, it will hand over its weapons, if not, the Lebanese government will follow through with collecting its weapons.”
– I want to voice the question of my colleague from Aravot.am: the regime has changed in Syria, how do you see Lebanese-Syrian relations now, as well as the relations between the states of Lebanon and Armenia?
I urge us now to wait and see, to be patient, if the new Syrian government chooses to be open-minded and strive for good relations; I welcome the best relations with Syria.
I see the Lebanese-Armenian citizens as equal citizens, like all other citizens. As for Armenia, I see Armenia as a sister country, and we expect the best relations with Armenia.
– Were you surprised that Bashar Assad fell so quickly?
No, not really. Syria was economically, socially, and administratively collapsed under Bashar Assad, it was just a matter of time.
– There was a prediction that the commander of the Lebanese army would be the next president (moderate), but now your allies, like the leader of the Lebanese Forces party, Dr. Gaagae, also see themselves as candidates. Will this not be seen as a defeat for the Lebanese Shiites, who see him as a challenge/provocative-candidate?
Let’s be realistic. Today, the blocs defending our sovereignty are not yet the majority in the parliament, the equation within the parliament has not changed, we urgently need a president who will implement international resolutions and establish sovereignty and the authority of statehood – the priority right now is to elect such a president.
The interview was conducted by Petros Manukyan
The Phalangists(Kateab) are the oldest party in Lebanon; they are Christian right-wing, national.