The Syrian ally made a statement that can be read in two ways.
Today Naharnet posted this statement by Mr. Yakan:
Islamic Scholar Fathi Yakan on Thursday called for electing Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman President on April 22, the date set by Speaker Nabih Berri to choose a new head of state.
Yakan said his decision came against the backdrop of Washington’s “insistence on rejecting presidential elections and on allowing the Saniora government to handle all presidential powers.”Electing a new President, according to Yakan, will “also help control the security situation, which is open to all possibilities.”
Optimists can see this as a hint of a turnaround in the Syrian position. They can argue for instance that by framing the concession as a way of preventing Mr. Seniora from assuming more power, the Syrians are attempting to save face.
But a harder look at the statement, especially at the second part — which reads like a classic threat — , one could reach a different conclusion: Mr. Yakan probably meant: “If you don’t elect Mr. Sleiman under our terms (the infamous basket solution that includes the blocking third of ministries) by the 22nd of April, we will release “Al-Qaeda” back on you.
Hello, my name is Mustapha and I've been blogging about Lebanese society, business and politics since February 2005.
I agree with your analysis but I lean to the first interpretation. Have you noticed that Berri is pushing hard to start another round of negotiation (although it is waste of time) where the March 14 saying to talk about what? I sense a change in the Syrian regime position and they allow the election of a president but it (Syria and its March
wants a price for that!
Yakan is a pimp for hire…As for Syria wanting elections…You are(will be) disallusioned! If anyone wants a “price” for anything that means they are extorting not facilitating.
Yakan has not said anything of importance, neither did Hoss! These are minnows trying to look relevant in public eye. We all know Lebanon is a powder keg and that there will be more assasinations until Bashar is brought down!
Mus, you should address the HA midgets running wild all over Lebanon, beating and intimidating. See the latest:
http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&F05921F9F3000A47C225742E001C64BE
Nothing new here, the old fart is only repeating what the other pro-syrians have been asking for months: remove Siniora and we’ll elect Sleiman, maybe.
HAHAHAHA! This made me actually laugh out loud at my desk. This episode wouldn’t be too far out of place on “The Simpsons” with Yakan playing the role of Homer Simpson…
Episode: “Reverse Psychology”
Ned Flanders: Homer, can we please elect a president already?
Homer Yakan: We won’t elect a president until our demands are met.
Ned Flanders: You know, in truth, we’re fine with having no president.
Homer Yakan: Damn you Flanders! No way I’m letting you have the last word! We’re electing a president whether you like it or not! I’m going down to Nejmeh square RIGHT NOW!
*Homer Yakan wanders off, mumbling to himself: “That’ll show him! Trying to tell me he’s fine with no president! Hmph!”
Safooooooooo this blog is like becoming funnier than the funiest of Wiam Wahab stupidities,and Mc Cain retardness,like when he said that Iran is supporting Al Quaeda,and sang Bomb Iran………..
HAHAHA………
dr. yakan is our leader and he is an “”ALLAMA”" of all the “”sunnA”"