Bush's Order Condemned By Hezbollah

Can Tran December 21, 2007

While US President George W. Bush suggests a majority vote, Hezbollah calls the move as unconstitutional. On Friday, President Bush has been denounced by Hezbollah for urging anti-Syrian lawmakers to push through their own choice for Lebanon’s president to resolve a long political deadlock.

Elections have been postponed until December 29. This is the tenth time that elections have been postponed. It is also the first attempt to elect Lebanon’s new president since September. So far, the anti-Syrian bloc backed by the West has avoided the use of its slim majority hold in parliament to elect a president.

That would increase tensions with Hezbollah which is allied with Syria. On Thursday, President Bush has urged the anti-Syrian bloc to use its slim majority. Shiek Naim Kassem, the deputy leader of Hezbollah has said that Bush’s “orders” will not be followed in Lebanon.

“Bush still thinks he can bet again on achieving some gains for America and Israel in Lebanon, despite consecutive and accumulated failures in the region,” he had said in response to Bush’s order. It is possible that Kassem is referring to the United States policies in Iraq.

Both sides agreed to use General Michel Suleiman, the army commander as a compromise candidate. However, parliament must first amend the constitution that allows the military chief to become Lebanon’s president.

Hopes have been complicated due to other considerations. The opposition wants a new unity government with veto power over major decisions.

Currently, they refuse to recognize the legitimacy of Prime Minister Faud Saniora’s government. This is due to Shiite members resigning the previous year. The constitution of Lebanon requires all sects be represented in the government.

Both the United States and Syria have accused each other of interfering in the politics of Lebanon. Lebanon has been accused by France for holding up the elections.