Lebanon recognises Palestinian bid

Fadi Aboud Beirut – George Shaheen   Arabs Today’s George Shaheen spoke exclusively with the Lebanese Minister of Tourism, Fadi Aboud, about the current Lebanese government, the electricity issue, and the problems surrounding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).                   AT: Has the Lebanese government recovered from the disunity that surrounded the electricity issue?                                               FA: Yes, there’s no doubt that we have recovered. The government implemented the electricity project in line with requests from the Change and Reform ministers. The government has become closer since making the decision, leaving it better placed to deal with the many large issues that need addressing this year.                                                                                                                AT: The second most important issue for the government is the STL and its proposed resolutions that Lebanon needs to abide by. What do you think about these resolutions and how will you deal with them?                                                                                    FA: The Cabinet has taken this issue seriously, reaffirming Lebanon’s commitment to international decisions. Many of the issues surrounding the STL are financial and technical issues which need to be looked at closely. The STL has wasted time as well as millions of dollars inefficiently gathering telephone evidence for the trial; evidence that could have been cheaply acquired by local experts in a matter of months. Having said this, I don’t doubt that every Lebanese person wants to know the truth behind the Hariri case.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         AT: Do you think that the STL should be reformed so that everyone knows that it is a Lebanese court? What would be necessary in a joint International/National court? FA: No. This issue is still under consideration and I don’t think that a new court is necessary, but ultimately, the decision will be made by the Parliament. AT: Lebanon will lead the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly in September. Why do you expect from these meetings, which will be headed by President, Michel Suleiman? FA: I expect Suleiman to present Lebanon as a founding member of the United Nations; a fact that I’m very proud of. Lebanon has played a major role in the international arena, which only convinces me further that we cannot make decisions that will isolate Lebanon internationally. AT: And what about the Palestinian request to recognise the Palestinian state? FA: Everyone in Lebanon supports this decision which reflects one of the basic rights of the Palestinian people. I would like to take the opportunity to express my sadness and anger at the American decision to use its veto power against the Palestinians. Providing Palestinians with their basic rights and giving them back their land is key to solving all of the other issues in the Middle East. The Palestinian issue remains the largest issue in the region, so the sooner we resolve it, the sooner we can resolve the region’s other problems.