Sleiman says independence requires sacrifices: And Berri insists: 'There are no enmities among Lebanese, only some disagreements'

BEIRUT, Nov 22, 2008 (The Daily Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- FTE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- President Michel Sleiman said Thursday that independence is not only an event that is celebrated every year, but "a continuous struggle."In a speech delivered before 165 university students at Baabda Palace on the eve of Independence Day, Sleiman said: "A state cannot be built, and independence cannot be achieved but through sacrifices."

"Sacrifices are not made by the use of force, but by dedicating oneself to the state," the president added.

Sleiman said that in the past six months, the country had witnessed major improvements, including reconciliations between the different Lebanese factions, which he hoped to be completed soon, national dialogue and the uncovering of terrorist cells.

"These achievements led to an atmosphere of accord on all levels," Sleiman said.

"National dialogue was held, in line with the Doha agreement, and among its priorities is setting up a defense strategy that will protect the country and its institutions," he added.

Sleiman also said international support for Lebanon highlighted the country's important role in the region and the world.

He added that the country was keen to strengthen ties with those Lebanese living abroad and encourage them to invest in Lebanon.

Sleiman also stressed the importance of an independent judiciary, saying: "Lebanon's independence cannot be achieved without the independence of the judiciary and the building of strong institutions."

The president also touched on economic and social problems burdening the Lebanese, saying: "Much attention should be granted to the people's economic, social, environmental and educational problems."

The president called on university students to abide by the principles of democracy, urging them to respect each others' views and opinions.

Also on Friday Sleiman met on with the Lebanese Armed Forces commander, General Jean Kahwaji, with whom he discussed the security situation and measures adopted to identify and detain members of terrorist groups. Kahwaji is set to visit Damascus in December.

Also addressing a group of students, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri urged the Lebanese on Friday to promote their national unity.

During a conversation in the Parliament's headquarters with university students around a number of controversial issues, Berri said: "There are no enmities among the Lebanese people, but only some disagreements."

He added that the Lebanese were "not terrorists, but rather the victims of terrorism," stressing that North Lebanon was not a source of violence, in response to claims by some Lebanese parties that the North was a base for extremist groups.

Asked about the upcoming 2009 parliamentary elections, Berri said that the elections would not see major differences in the results of the March 8 and March 14 candidates, stressing that although the 1960 electoral law was not the most representative, both camps would benefit from it.

Asked about the participation of Lebanese emigrants in the elections, Berri stressed that they should participate in the parliamentary elections in 2013, and that Lebanon should benefit from both their capabilities and the money they send to their families in the country.

Commenting on the ongoing occupation of Shebaa Farms, Berri said that Israel wanted to benefit from the ample water resources in the area, and highlighted the lack of awareness in Lebanon on the importance of water and the mismanagement of hydrological resources, which he said resulted from the absence of a ministry for planning.

Berri welcomed cooperation with all countries, especially "brotherly" ones, hinting at Syria, especially since the recent Lebanese-Syrian decision to establish diplomatic ties and cooperate on the security level.

But he stressed that the country would be grateful for all assistance "as long as it does not obstruct Lebanon's sovereignty, freedom and independence."

Separately, Berri called for holding a parliamentary session on Wednesday to discuss a number of draft laws.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea met Friday with a delegation from the Phalange Party at his residence in Maarab.

In remarks following the meeting, Geagea said that the LF and the Phalange had the same goals even if they were two different parties, adding that meetings between both parties would continue in order to agree on common views for the upcoming parliamentary elections

Asked by reporters whether those meetings would lead to a settlement between the two Christian groups, Geagea said: "The word settlement between the two parties cannot be used; discussions aim to agree on common points, and there is tangible progress in this regard."

Geagea also raised the issue of tensions in the North, saying that some parties in the areas of Koura and Batroun were trying to "undermine security and engage in armed activities intended to create atmospheres of terror." He added that those activities were aimed at forcing residents to vote for the Marada Movement and their allies in the opposition

The LF leader said that this might have been the strategy used in the parliamentary elections of the 1960s and 1970s, but in 2009 it would not lead to positive results.

He also called on the Defense and Interior ministries to impose a ban on weapons in all areas of the country.

Geagea said security services in Chekka were not assuming their role efficiently, and questioned the role of the Internal Security Forces in the area, especially as "gunmen were patrolling the area and not security officers."

"What is the reason for having weapons in Chekka, Batroun, Bsarma, or Amioun?" Geagea asked. "Is this is how they getting ready for the coming parliamentary elections?"

The personal bodyguard of March 14 MP Butros Harb's brother was shot on Monday by a supporter of MP Suleiman Franjieh's Marada Movement in the area of Batroun.

The shooting was the second of its kind in the North following a similar incident in the town of Bsarma, Koura in which two people were killed. -- The Daily Star

Cellulars top -- and fill -- cabinet agenda

BEIRUT: Cabinet is expected to convene on Sunday with only one item on its agenda: Lebanon's two cellular networks.

Last week, the Cabinet approved a proposal submitted by Telecommunications Minister Gibran Bassil to renew the management contract with operator MTC Touch, and end that with Lebanon's operator Alfa, whose services and coverage have been inconsistent in the past few months. Bassil suggested France Telecom as the new manager of the Alfa network.

The Cabinet had asked Bassil to extend the MTC Touch contract for two months and allow the ministry to manage the Alfa network, pending a tender for both.

Last week, media reports said that MTC informed the ministry that it no longer wished to extend the contract, adding that it wanted to end its operations by November 30. This would mean that the ministry would have to run both networks in 10 days' time.

However, well-informed sources told As-Safir newspaper on Friday that MTC changed its position and accepted an extension of the contract for two additional months. The sources also told As-Safir that the company would take part in the tender. -- The Daily Star

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