In a televised message to the nation on Thursday night, Prime Minister Fuad Saniora affirmed that his government
The premier then gave an assessment of the government’s record in implementing the policy statement on the basis of which it won a vote of confidence.
“But from the first hours that followed its creation, the government was working [under the pressure] of terrorism and murder directed at the Lebanese. We have been pursued by explosions, bombs, attacks, aggression and attempts to paralyze the international inquiry which is intended to see that justice is done and to punish those who planned and carried out the assassination of the martyred [former] prime minister, Rafik Hariri, Basil Fleihan and his companions; then, after them, the martyrs Samir Kassir, Georges Hawi and Gibran Tueni”.
Saniora continued: “Every time we take a step to preserve the security of Lebanon, the machine of political assassinations and terrorism is put in action. All sorts of pressure have been exerted on us. Today, at a time when death has struck down our colleague, Pierre Gemayel, prince of youth, we hear certain persons placing the blame for the crime on the government. Everyone knows that our security capacities were requisitioned by the regime of tutelage for long years and that their reconstruction cannot happen in a few months…”
Saniora recalled the failure of the dialogue conference, then the outbreak of the July war and the damage done to Lebanon by the Israeli aggression and the losses incurred. In this context he noted that the government had done all in its power to stop thewar, obtain an Israeli withdrawal and mobilize for reconstruction.
“The government has the duty of preserving the citizens’ right to free and peaceful expression. To our partners on the national level who are preparing to demonstrate tomorrow, I say that your rights will be preserved. But I call on them to be aware that the limit of their freedom is the freedom of others, their right to security, their freedom to move about and to protect their property. We will not accept infringements on security or attacks on public institutions or private property.
“We shall not allow a coup d’état to be carried out against our democratic system, its foundations and institutions… We shall remain in our place as the legitimate and constitutional government of all Lebanon, responsible for all the Lebanese… Dialogue presupposes that no one can impose his conditions on others, nor can anyone have recourse to accusations of treason, to attacks or to a raising of tension.
“Our government is legitimate and enjoys the confidence of Parliament”, Saniora declared, calling on the Lebanese to stand by the cabinet to preserve harmonious coexistence. “We’ve had enough of conflicts, polarizations, assassinations, tragedy. We don’t want power or domination, but we won’t abandon our responsibilities or our legitimacy”, he concluded.