OPINION

Ahead of elections, unholy alliances in Lebanon

By Sami Moubayed , Political analyst

The Lebanese opposition wrongly believed that the return of General Michel Aoun to Lebanon on May 7, three weeks before parliamentary elections, would serve their political interests and result in a new parliament overwhelmingly opposed to President Emile Lahoud.

Now that the Syrians are out, the opposition believed, Lebanon's new parliament would eject Lahoud from office.

The opposition wanted to use Aoun to achieve this purpose, then get rid of him, because he returns to Lebanon with bitter scores to settle with everyone who kept him in exile for 15 years.

Lebanon's liberation was brought about by many

In a statement made following a visit this week with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir in Bkirki, U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman pointed to two main factors as having led to the withdrawal of Syria's military and intelligence personnel from Lebanon.

The ambassador cited the first factor as international determination as expressed in UN Security Council Resolution 1559, and said the second was the determination of a united Lebanese, who turned out en masse for a huge March 14 demonstration exactly a month after the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri.

Feltman's statement comes on the heels of an informal debate through the media between Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, freshly returned from exile in Paris, and Chouf MP Walid Jumblatt over the liberation of Lebanon from Syrian hegemony.

Mikati: 'Main challenge' is preserving trust in Lebanon

Premier seeks to improve ties with private sector

By Karine Raad

BEIRUT: Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Tuesday "the main challenge (for the current government) is to find the means to preserve trust in Lebanon" and improve ties with the private sector.

During a meeting with various ministers and prominent members of the economic, commercial and banking sectors, Mikati highlighted the importance of coordination between the government and the private sector to help rejuvenate the economy, particularly in the wake of former Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination.

Mikati said several goals need to be achieved despite the Cabinet's short-term status.