Lebanon MPs commend president?s statements on weapons

March 14 MP Boutros Harb on Sunday saluted President Michel Suleiman for his recent statements on non-state weapons.

?Suleiman?s stance [reflects] the [situation] in Lebanon and the aspirations of the Lebanese people,? Harb told LBC television.

Harb also said that the president?s stances preserve the country?s sovereignty.

On Sunday, the National News Agency quoted Suleiman as saying that work was underway to eventually make the army ?the sole possessor of weapons to defend Lebanon against any threat.??
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Last week, Suleiman also said that the arms of the Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah should not be confused with the arms of resistance, and that the latter fall within a national defense strategy, while arms used domestically by any party must be confiscated.

Meanwhile, Public Works and Transportation Minister Ghazi Aridi, who represents the Progressive Socialist Party in the cabinet, said that Suleiman?s statements were ?patriotic and balanced.?

?The president [has taken] clear stances, but maybe [those who reject his stances] are [still] used to the [performances] of other [presidents],? Aridi told LBC.

Aridi added that ?what matters is that we move forward to a serious discussion on the issue of weapons during the [upcoming] national dialogue sessions.?

-NOW Lebanon

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Source: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=444068

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