Beirut, 2007 Oct 8, IRIB
Lebanon's Hezbollah Secretary General Seyed Hasssan Nasrollah's initiative has led to mixed reactions inside Lebanon and overseas.
The ruling current, known as March 14 Group, which holds 53% of the seats in the Lebanese Parliament, has announced its opposition to Hezbollah Secretary General's plan. Meanwhile, March 8th Group, which includes Lebanese Parliament Speaker and President, has welcomed Nasrollah's initiative.
On the occasion of International Qods Day, Nasrollah called on all Lebanese factions to help solve Lebanon's crisis and called on the factions to put an end to the status quo in Lebanon by proposing three solutions.
Nasrollah presented three options to March 14th Group, proposing that the future Lebanese President would be elected via an agreement; through people's direct votes and/or via conduction of opinion polls. The Lebanese President is elected in Lebanon by the Parliament and with the votes of two thirds of MPs and this is the first time since Lebanon's independence in 1940s that the election of Lebanon's President has faced difficulty due to U.S. direct interference.
Following the Zionist regime's humiliating failure in last summer's 33-Day Lebanon War, U.S. has been intent on stirring conspiracy in Lebanon. However, U.S. efforts to cause a civil war and to stir disputes among Lebanese groups and parties have been doomed to fail. Hence, Washington and the Zionist regime have set their hopes on the election of the Lebanese President, so that the future president of Lebanon would be a connecting bridge between Lebanon and the U.S. Undoubtedly West and U.S. undemocratic approach against the will of Lebanese people (who call for dismissal of Siniora administration and establishment of the national unity government) shows U.S. fear and concern over further weakening of its status in the region, especially in Lebanon. Hence, U.S. intends to obstruct the election of the President, considered by March 8th Group.
Meanwhile, Nasrollah's initiative has practically clarified solutions to current crisis in Lebanon. The March 14th Group has neglected all the initiatives of March 8th Group within the past year.
According to Nasrollah, Lebanon wants a President, who is not under the influence of any embassy or ambassador and who puts emphasis on Lebanon's national interests.