February 25, 2009 - Naharnet - Hamadeh: Syrian Regime Won't Be Found Innocent By Tribunal

MP Marwan Hamadeh said the Syrian regime would not be cleared by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that is looking into the assassination of Lebanon's ex-premier Rafik Hariri.In an interview with the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai published Wednesday Hamadeh said: "Regardless of the tribunal's judgment, of which I fought for, for which colleagues of mine were assassinated, I will respect its decision, I am fully sure that the tribunal would uncover the truth regardless of the time."He added that there are no settlements and deals over the tribunal, saying that all rapprochements with Syria by Saudi Arabia, U.S. and France won't affect the tribunal's outcome.Regarding the Council of the South, Hamadeh said neither current nor a former prime minister has ever barred aid from the south. He referred to other regions in Lebanon that continue to suffer from neglect such as the western Bekaa, the coast and Akkar."The only agreement upon which our constitution was built is the Taef accord," Hamadeh said referring to the Doha agreement which he refused to recognize.Hamadeh said that the issue in Lebanon goes much further than just elections adding that the main difference is that of whether we want a united, independent, free Lebanon or do the Lebanese want a country under tutelage and undemocratic with a Persian flavor."The parliamentary elections must decide one choice; either the state extends its authority by absorbing the resistance and unifies the security, military and political decision in the country or we continue with this chaos," Hamadeh said. He rejected the call made by Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun for holding the parliamentary elections over two days saying this call only seeks to hinder the election process."I believe General Aoun is feeling the earthquake that is striking his base over the past two years. Hence, he would waste no time in creating excuses, knowing that his allies are only armed party in the country," he said.Regarding the centrist parliamentary bloc, Hamadeh said this campaign comes from one group that abhors centrists because they know fully well that this group has had enough of Aoun's political line."We never said that if we win the elections we won't share cabinet with some independents, centrists or even from March 8 Forces. We will do so on the basis of a clear program without veto power," Hamadeh said.