Minister of State Wael Abou-Faour

Minister of State Wael Abou-Faour:
‘If we were in Hezballah’s place, we would have supported Saad Hariri and safeguarded internal stability’

“We’re optimistic as to the success of the Saudi-Syrian initiative, since the Arab side is concerned with preventing any explosion in Lebanon”, said Wael Abou-Faour, a member of the Progressive Socialist Party led by MP Walid Jumblatt, who serves in the national unity cabinet as Minister of State. “If we were in Hezballah’s place, we would have supported the courageous position of the head of the government, Saad Hariri, who opted for the solution of the crisis on the basis of his concern to preserve the country and its security. “But”, Abou-Faour added, “the prime minister may face difficulties inherent in the whole situation, and that is why we must help him so that the ongoing dialogue between Prime Minister Hariri and Hezballah can lead the country to the safe harbor”. The interview took place before the March 8 camp reportedly announced it would withdraw its ministers from the cabinet because, it said, the Saudi-Syrian initiative had reached an impasse.

Tides of pessimism and optimism alternate in regard to the Saudi-Syrian initiative. Where does this initiative stand?
It goes without saying that Riyadh and Damascus are keen to settle the dossiers over which the Lebanese are divided. Ideas are also exchanged between the two capitals around contentious issues among the Lebanese.
We are optimistic in this regard, since the Saudi-Syrian initiative, supported by our Arab brothers, is a long-term effort.
None of the brotherly states will allow the deterioration of the situation in Lebanon. The efforts of Riyadh and Damascus are evolving in a slow but sure way which is carefully-studied and realistic. We are sure that the coming weeks will succeed in putting everything in order in Lebanon and that the white smoke will appear announcing the final solution.
Is Walid Jumblatt aware of the plan being considered by Damascus and Riyadh to resolve the Lebanese crisis?
Walid Bey is aware of a large part of the Saudi-Syrian initiative, although he is not aware of all the details. The discussions are centered on the international tribunal and the indictment.
Naturally it’s about getting the country out of the state of paralysis that prevents the state from dealing with the vital issues of concern to the citizens in their daily lives.

The reasons for the delay…
What are the factors delaying the success of the efforts now being made?
The delay is principally due to the state of health of King Abdallah bin Abdelaziz. We wish him a prompt recovery, given the Arab guarantee that he represents in the Arab and Islamic world. The Lebanese dossier contains problems whose settlement needs time.

Did you bring specific ideas to the president of the Republic during your recent meeting?
Our exchange of points of view with President Michel Sleiman were centered on the necessity of reactivating the constitutional institutions, especially the cabinet, since a large number of issues need to be tackled.
What I can say is that there is an exchange of points of view to determine the responsibility that the political forces assume towards the Lebanese citizens. The Council of Ministers is absent, while a large number of problems need to be settled.

Who might be responsible for the paralysis?
We can exchange the accusations as to who is responsibility for the paralysis. Even Speaker Berri is working from his side, as well as Prime Minister Hariri to find an exit, because with the dossier of the false witnesses, all the political forces are closing the door of Parliament against Hariri with a key they then throw very far away.
The big question, the principal issue, is of course the international tribune, and Arab capitals are working to reach a Lebanese-Lebanese understanding in order to dispel the possible dangers resulting from the international tribunal’s indictment.

A cabinet reshuffle?
Do you expect a ministerial reshuffle in the near future?
Nobody is talking about such a possibility, and my personal conviction, is that we are not on the way to such a possibility.

Some say that Prime Minister Hariri cannot offer new concessions. What is requested from him now?
I think he is requested to adopt a position towards the indictment. Saad Hariri is not of the opinion that the indictment by the STL is the cause of division on the Lebanese scene. Moreover, he affirmed that the blood of Rafik Hariri will not be the cause of strife in Lebanon. I think that there is an agreement between Prime Minister Hariri and Hezballah to preserve stability, as all the political forces request. There may be disagreement on timing, but there is no disagreement, and I think that Prime Minister Hariri has opted for the solution on the basis of his concern to safeguard stability. He could face difficulties, and that is why we should help him.

Hezballah’s aid
How could Hezballah help Saad Hariri?
First, I understand Hezballah’s position. The party is targeted but its good relations with Hariri and its dialogue with him continue, and we will succeed in preventing the indictment from dividing the Lebanese. Some think that this will burn the Resistance’s cards.

Can we expect an initiative from Hezballah after the publication of the indictment?
Prime Minister Hariri has affirmed that he will not allow the blood of his father to be a cause of strife. This is very clear and frank.

But there is still a disagreement over the timing: Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is ready to accept a solution before the publication of the indictment while the other side is ready to accept a solution after the publication. And if you were in Hezballah’s place, how would you react?
Hezballah is worried and it is right to be so, because it is the target of a big international more particularly from the United States, Israel and other parties. If Rafik Hariri had not been assassinated, these other parties would have found a different pretext to act against Hezballah.
If we were in the place of Hezballah, we could have counted on Prime Minister Hariri’s positive position and we would have taken the courageous position that its national responsibility imposes on it.

Is Walid Jumblatt moving in this context between the two parties?
There is no mediation that the PSP leader could undertake. We always try to help the president of the Republic and House Speaker Nabih Berri to settle the contentions problems.