Its just too much, that after the murder of Hariri and after March 14, some people like Berri are still acting the way they used during the Syrian occupation,interfering in the government’s executive branch role, as if nothing happened and nothing changed. That is what made Seniora angry and the FM angry. I’m sure everyone else in the 14 March camp feel the same. In fact it is about time they revealed their “assertive” tone.

As for Walid Jounblat, the FM, if they are to succeed in pushing economic reforms, should ally themselves to parties sharing similar economic views like the FPM. Allinaces,I think, should be based on economic interests and views rather than on ideologies(nationalistic,sectarian).If I were Saad,I would visit or send a delegation of MPs to visit Michel Aoun at Rabye.

Abdul Karim.

1-About time Siniora and others responded. Would have been smarter to counterattack NOT from Washingtom though (same goes for Siniora saying Lahoud should resign to a US paper).

2- Respond more firmly to Hezbo too. I know they need to be diplomatic, but why no say every time that the Lebs need to discuss the issue, instead of sounding like it is a settled thing which keeps emboldening the Hezb.

Yeah, saying that from Washington was a relatively cheap shot. And don’t make the posts so dramatic mustapha … they’re beginning to sound like naharnet’s titles.

Istiz Berri forgot that Syria is out of Lebanon! He is still living “dreaming” about the pre-March 14 era! Nasrallah knows that Assad (Syria) is willing to sell him in the US market anytime just to protect his throne! Jumblat is still intimidated by Syria “he did not forget that Syria killed his dad!”
Saad Hariri has to assert himself and let his group’s MPs speak out and not afraid to confront anyone. Although, they should be cautious and keep their eyes on the target (priorities). Number 1 priority is to find and punish the killers of Rafik Hariri! Priority 2: get rid of everyone who gets his orders from Syria (by in a peacful election, not violence!)

I am not sure how a picture with the infamous Cheney will help the Future movement. It actually helps Hezballah.

Is the picture taken from raging bull, Robert de Niro?

What would you have preferred?
Reply from Washington and strike while the iron is still hot, or wait untill he is back in Beirut where the political stands of those parties would have been worse ?.

PS: FM block did reply from Beirut

Lebanon’s democracy is different than the west. In Lebanon if an opinion comes from one group, then the other group may decide to adpot something to the contrary just because it came from the other group.

I am happy with how PM Sanyora is dealing with the issues, he is subtle where needed and firm when needed.

In a TV interview to be aired at “al-hurra” 9:00 beirut Time, PM Sanyora took a good stand and re-affirmed that today is not as before where Martyr hariri had to test his blood three times a day just to proof that he is Lebanese.

I Salut him and Salut FM Block coz we are also Lebanese and we shouldnt proove it three times a day…

I’ve been saying this since the elections, and everyone thought I was merely repeating Christian neuroses! He should’ve displayed this resolve much earlier, and put a sock in Jumblat’s mouth way earlier. Hazem Saghieh’s points on the need to abandon ideological rhetoric of “nationalist patrotism” etc. is now being echoed by Seniora, to his credit (nothing made me happier than that statement on this issue by Seniora).

Enough already. I mean, Berri all but admitted that Salloukh was little more than someone who reports first and foremost to him and Nasrallah! FM should have fought harder over that post, just like they’re fighting for the Surete Generale.

Now everyone is being reminded that Hizbullah backs Lahoud!! Really!? Better late than never. I’m glad Saad held his own and realized that he, not Jumblat, is the senior partner, and he is the one that can create a real center if he chooses, around which there can be real consensus.