Senior Lebanese politician Saad Hariri has informed journalists from the United States-based network CNN that the newly elected majority does not plan peace talks with Israel. Hariri is seen as a favorite for the position of Prime Minister following the victory of relatively pro-Western parties in Lebanon over the pro-Syrian bloc led by Hizbullah.
Not only will the next government refrain from independent talks with Israel, but it also may not follow the Arab peace initiative based on the 2002 Saudi plan, Hariri said. Lebanon will join the Arab initiative “as we see fit,” he explained.
Despite his rejection of direct peace talks, Hariri expressed optimism that Arab states will be able to reach peace with Israel. There will be peace deals between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and Israel and Syria “if the United States fulfills its role,” he said.
Hariri also sought to cool enthusiasm over the perceived “pro-Western” status of the elected majority. “We are not pro-Western; we are pro-Lebanon,” he said. The elections were about internal Lebanese affairs and not about the country's ties with the West or with Syria and Iran, he added,
Hizbullah and other opposition parties have accepted the election results, but they also have expressed determination to maintain their current influence in government. Hizbullah leaders warned earlier this week that the group plans to maintain its private army and weapons stockpile, while other opposition leaders called on the government to renew an agreement that gives the opposition veto power in the parliament.
Coalition members have been reluctant to renew the veto agreement, which often prevents the passage of important legislation. Hariri showed more support for Hizbullah's other demands, stating in a Wednesday interview with Financial Times that he hopes to “lower the temperature on the division” between the majority and the opposition.
"What we need to look at is to comfort some parties vis-a-vis certain issues,” he said.