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Lebanon's
pro-Syrian resistance group Hizbullah looks
set to seal an electoral alliance with
opposition Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, a move
that leaves Jumblatt the favorite to win the
most crucial electoral district in Lebanon.
The Baabda-Aley district in Mount Lebanon, the
most keenly contested constituency in the
country, looks set to provide the battleground
for a bitter struggle between Jumblatt and
arch rival Free Patriotic Movement leader
Michel Aoun on June 19.
But even
allowing for any Jumblatt alliance with the
Shiite Hizbullah, voting in the district will
remain on a knife edge as Aoun will pick up a
number of votes from Shiites angry at
Hizbullah cutting a deal with Jumblatt.
There are only nine seats up
for grabs in the area, but it is understood
Hizbullah is reluctant to publicly announce an
alliance with Jumblatt because he is also
allied with the Christian Lebanese Forces in
the same region, a party which is held in low
esteem by Hizbullah members because of its
previous relations with
Israel.
But speaking
yesterday Jumblatt said: "There is
coordination for an alliance with the Lebanese
resistance group in Baabda-Aley and we will
announce it within the next 48 hours."
He added: "This
list is not meant to isolate anyone and it
will include all factions and parties. We
insist on the importance of holding an
internal dialogue to protect the resistance
group and dialogue with Hizbullah is meant to
resolve all the problems facing the resistance
and protecting it."
Referring to
Aoun, Jumblatt said: "Unfortunately I don't
understand why some do not want this dialogue
and would rather annul all others and impose
their presence on the political scene."
He added: "Some
come and say they are here. Fine, we
acknowledge their presence but we will see
when the results are counted in the ballot
boxes."
In other news,
the U.S congratulated the Lebanese people on
"holding a peaceful round of parliamentary
elections," calling it a first step toward
setting up a fully sovereign government.
State
Department spokesman Richard Boucher said:
"This is an important first step in fulfilling
the aspirations of the Lebanese people for a
sovereign and democratic government. We
acknowledge the essential role that Lebanese
domestic observers and the UN technical team
played along with international election
observers, including those from the European
Union."
Boucher said
the United States and the international
community will continue to support the
democratic process in Lebanon as the country's
government moves forward with preparations for
a subsequent round of elections, which will be
held on June 5, June 12 and June 19.
EU foreign
policy chief Javier Solana also welcomed the
first round of parliamentary elections in
Lebanon as an "important step" and a success.
Solana "also expressed his hopefulness for the
remaining rounds of elections to be held in
the same positive and constructive
atmosphere," said the foreign policy chief's
spokeswoman Cristina Gallach.
By Mayssam
Zaaroura
Daily Star staff
Wednesday, June 01, 2005 |
