BEIRUT: The Future bloc called Tuesday for the immediate withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters from Syria, arguing that it would create breakthroughs in the current political deadlock in Lebanon.
During its weekly meeting at former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s residence, the bloc blasted March 8 ministers from the resigned Cabinet over “financial and administrative” violations.
Future MPs also backed Hariri’s call for a neutral government and his party’s readiness to resume dialogue with Hezbollah over the contentious issue of its arsenal.
“The bloc reiterates and affirms the Future Movement's vision at this stage which includes ... Hezbollah's immediate and complete withdrawal from the ongoing war in Syria between the regime and its opposition, a necessary step for breakthroughs to happen at the national level,” the bloc said in a statement.
It also affirmed its commitment to the National Covenant stipulating coexistence between Christians and Muslims as well as the implementation of the Taef Accord.
“[The bloc affirms the need to] restructure, reform, and rehabilitate state institutions on the basis of qualification and merit, and the ability to hold it accountable whenever necessary,” it added.
The state, the bloc noted, should also have the exclusive right to bear arms and the right to implement measures to ensure such an exclusivity.
“[It also affirms its] commitment to the principles of dialogue as a means to resolve difference in opinion on the basis of mutual respect,” the bloc said.
It also welcomed President Michel Sleiman’s call for the resumption of the all-party talks “on the basis of committing to previous decisions taken during dialogue session, primarily the Baabda Declaration and adoption of the disassociation policy from regional crises particularly in Syria, with no exception.”
The bloc headed by MP Fouad Siniora also reiterated his supportive stance of a nonpartisan government to address the pressing socio-economic issues of citizens which it said were exacerbated due to March 8 practices.
“The bloc condemns the scandals and national crimes committed by some ministers in the caretaker government through financial and administrative abuses,” the statement said.
Such violations will force the collapse of state institutions and “turning them into partisan, sectarian and confessional sectors that reinforce the authoritarianism of some parties who are backed by armed militias,” in reference to Hezbollah’s allies in the resigned government.
The bloc also condemned attacks “carried out by the Syrian regime backed by Hezbollah's militia that breach Lebanon's sovereignty and harms security personnel and civilians” in the northern and eastern border.
“[These attacks] require diplomatic action from the Arab League and the United Nations, which should be distanced from the policies of submission and obedience practiced by both the Syrian and Iranian regimes toward the Lebanese Foreign Ministry,” the statement said.
The Future Movement has repeatedly accused caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister Adnan Mansour of working in the interest of Syria.
