Lebanese interior minister alludes to resignation

Lebanon's Interior and Municipalities Minister Nohad Machnouk on Sunday said his resignation from the government is an option "under discussion".

In televised statements, Machnouk added that the ministers should discuss Lebanon's foreign policy before deciding required steps.

On Monday, Beirut will witness a grand announcement that proves the country's Arab identity and restores the faith of Arab countries in it, the minister said.

He added that the announcement would be attended by all concerned leaderships, in the presence of former PM Saad Hariri. 

"The results would express the loyalty of most Lebanese to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait," Machnouk said as he vowed to fight for Lebanon's Arabism. 

"The Gulf stance to revise relations with Lebanon came late; it should have happened before, and it is an indication of the need to increase Lebanon's resistance and capacity to stop derailing the country's compass towards any axis that is not Arabic," he added.

Machnouk analyzed the Saudi decision as a confrontational step rather than one that shows retreat or abandonment. He urged all Arabs to adopt a clear and specific Arab policy that lasted beyond the momentary. 

"It is our duty to send a delegation to Riyadh following the Cabinet's meeting to object to a move that most Lebanese do not acknowledge. The talk about Sunnis, Arabs and Saudi only represents a limited fraction of Lebanese," the minister said

The battle began ten years ago, with the assassination of PM Rafik Hariri, according to the Minister. He vowed not to let a party and its arms strip Lebanon of its Arab identity. 

"What the Foreign Minister did does not express the opinion of the Lebanese government, but only a part of it. Prime Minister Tammam Salam will remedy this error in the upcoming days." 

Machnouk urged Salam to hold a session to discuss Lebanon's foreign policy. He urged Arabs, particularly the GCC, to understand that the Lebanese were resistant and not quitters. 

"When we feel that Arabs stand by our resistance, then we will work better and have a greater capacity to move." 

Earlier, Lebanon's Justice Minister Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi resigned to protest Hizballah's growing control over the country.

Source: MENA