LEBANON: Sovereign Front for Lebanon criticizes government’s failure and its dependence on Hezbollah

BEIRUT – In light of Lebanon’s political and economic crises and its disastrous consequences, in combination with the further deterioration of the value of the Lebanese pound, the Sovereign Front for Lebanon published a statement in which it stated:

“The people as a whole have become unable to secure a decent living, because of a ruling authority that has ceded the sovereign decision of the state for short-term gains. It joined the axis of poverty and isolated Lebanon from its Arab and International surroundings. The Iranian Hezbollah militia is an occupying power and the state’s dependence on it must be resisted.”

With regard to incumbent President Michel Aoun, to extend his mandate, the Sovereign Front reiterated its opposition to the candidacy and called to respect constitutional provisions and not to violate the Constitution.

In its statement, the Sovereign Front addressed the government’s decision to link the resumption of cabinet sessions to the removal of investigative Judge Tariq Bitar, saying that it is immoral and an insult to the martyrs and injured of the Beirut Port explosion and their families, as those involved in the explosion are still not known, it stated.

With regard to the upcoming elections and the statements of the head of the Wafa Resistance Bloc, MP Mohamed Raad, the Front stated that his statements come as no surprise, and whoever wants to rule tomorrow by claiming a majority, should realize that prior majorities were unable to rule. This confirms Hezbollah’s intention to thwart election results, which it fears will be lost. And, it uses its usual language of  intimidation and the threat of weapons, in an attempt to destroy the will of the people to bring about change. Such language only increases people’s determination to vote and achieve a majority, in order to create a new authority that will work to really implement the constitution, and push for the establishment of a real state.

The Front’s statement came as protesters stormed the building of the Ministry of Social Affairs, protesting the deterioration of living conditions. Protestords removed the image of Syriac Maronite President Michel Aoun and hung it upside down. They demanded to meet with the Syriac Maronite Minister of Social Affairs Hector Hajjar to clarify the how and where of aid. Minister Hajjar responded to the protesters’ call, stressing that the ministry’s doors are open to all for dialogue, but the continued shouting of the protesters prompted the minister to leave the crowd of protestors.

The Sovereign Front is a political opposition coalition formed by among others the Universal Syriac Union Party, the National Liberal Party, Lebanese Forces, and Change Movement.