Published October 8, 2024
Lebanon’s former Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora, has expressed deep concern over the country’s current crisis, accusing the international community of abandoning Lebanon during its time of need.
Speaking to the BBC, Siniora warned that Lebanon faces a major catastrophe as the situation worsens, and there is little effort being made to restore peace.
“We are in a very difficult situation,” Siniora said, criticizing the lack of initiative locally and internationally.
He also pointed to Lebanon’s inability to elect a president, with Hezbollah pushing for a leader aligned with its interests.
He lamented that the government today has not distanced itself from Hezbollah’s actions, as his government did during the 2006 conflict with Israel.
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SOURCE: www.uzalendonewz.com
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Fouad Siniora says the conflict in Lebanon should not be inextricably linked to the war in Gaza
Published October 8, 2024
Lebanon’s prime minister at the time of its last war with Israel in 2006 has told the BBC his country has been abandoned by the international community.
Fouad Siniora said it was unacceptable to leave Lebanon to fall, and there was a lack of initiative when it came to trying to restore peace.
“We are now in a very difficult situation that requires real effort locally, as well on the Arab side and internationally.
“You can push things – sometimes to the brink of falling – in a major catastrophe without really realising what it means later on.
“It’s happening at a time when the American administration is so busy with the elections.
“And we are unable to elect a president, because some groups in the country, particularly Hezbollah, have been insisting that they want a president that will not stab that group in the back,” Siniora said.
The last war between Lebanon and Israel, nearly 20 years ago, began when Hezbollah fighters crossed the border and attacked Israeli soldiers. Two were kidnapped and three were killed, sparking a month-long conflict.
In the days that followed, Siniora made a public statement distancing the Lebanese government from what had happened.
He thinks the country’s current leaders have failed their people by not doing the same thing.
“This government did not do what my government did that day. My government was very clear and determined in stating that we were not aware, and we were not informed, of Hezbollah’s plan to cross the Blue Line on the border and to kidnap and kill Israeli soldiers.
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SOURCE: www.bbc.com
