Ghazi al-Aridi to Al Mayadeen: Lebanon in Disaster if Government Not Formed
Former Lebanese Minister Ghazi al-Aridi says that enhancing the relations with Russia and China is an opportunity for Lebanon, emphasizing the necessity of forming a cabinet capable of making decisions to find a way out of the crisis.
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Al-Aridi to Al Mayadeen: Lebanon will face disaster if the cabinet is not formed
The former Lebanese Minister Ghazi al-Aridi said in an interview for Al Mayadeen that the parties participating in the government formation are “responsible for the situation," asserting that there is a dire need for "a government capable of making decisions to find a way out of the crisis."
He pointed out that the Head of the Progressive Socialist Party had called for a settlement months ago.
#أمل_رغم_الألم | #غازي_العريضي لـ #الميادين: "الطرفان المعنيان بتأليف الحكومة يتحملان بالتأكيد مسؤولية ما وصلت إليه الأمور، واليوم نحن نحتاج إلى حكومة لاتخاذ القرارات التي تمهّد للخروج من الأزمة".#لبنان #انفجار_مرفأ_بيروت pic.twitter.com/BxsWjKpHBl
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) July 27, 2021
Al-Aridi added, “Serving justice in what concerns the Beirut port explosion and redressing the families of the victims do not bear any personal judgment from any Lebanese side," and, “there is no internal consensus for an international investigation."
Moreover, he assured that the Progressive Socialist Party supports lifting the immunities regarding the Beirut port explosion case.
#أمل_رغم_الألم | #غازي_العريضي لـ #الميادين: "الحزب #التقدمي_الإشتراكي مع رفع الحصانات عن الجميع في قضية انفجار المرفأ".#لبنان #انفجار_مرفأ_بيروت pic.twitter.com/oBxcLawvXm
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) July 27, 2021
“I do not trust the international community, and past experiences of international investigations were disappointing," he said.
#أمل_رغم_الألم | #غازي_العريضي لـ #الميادين: لا توافق داخلياً على تحقيق دولي في قضية #انفجار_مرفأ_بيروت، وأنا لا أثق بالمجتمع الدولي، وهناك تجارب سابقة غير مشجّعة".#لبنان pic.twitter.com/Wqa0pL3IFE
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) July 27, 2021
On the parliamentary consultations prior to Mikati’s designation to form the Lebanese government, al-Aridi commented that “Mikati communicated with different sides and their representatives."
Al-Aridi also called those involved in the government formation not to repeat Saad Hariri’s experience, pointing out that “the upcoming government should set a plan to find a way out of the financial crisis."
He explained, “there are limited options, and the Lebanese forces do not have much time in the course of forming the government, and the most dangerous thing we are facing is the possibility that the notion of the state might cease to exist."
“It is mistaken to rely on superpowers, even though they have an important role and influence," al-Aridi said, adding, "historically, there has always been a foreign orchestrator for the Lebanese political situation, unlike today."
“The international community focus on the civil society contradicts its cooperation with the political system. The international community deals with Lebanon on the basis of interests and not values," the former Minister stressed.
#أمل_رغم_الألم | #غازي_العريضي لـ #الميادين: "الحزب #التقدمي_الإشتراكي مع رفع الحصانات عن الجميع في قضية انفجار المرفأ".#لبنان #انفجار_مرفأ_بيروت pic.twitter.com/oBxcLawvXm
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) July 27, 2021
Al-Aridi said that he disagrees with the officials who, in order to justify the bad situation, repeatedly claim that they were not allowed to take any action.
He also said that the negotiations to form the cabinet should be between President Michel Aoun and the PM-designate Najib Mikati," adding that the two had thoroughly discussed several matters.
The former Lebanese Minister said to Al Mayadeen that there is a need to form the government that in return would allow resolving the crisis in the country. He said, "Perhaps, we can reach an understanding on the formation of the government that might amaze many parties," stressing that "if the government is not formed, it will be a disaster at various levels."
He confirmed that the communication between the Progressive Socialist Party and the Presidency of the Republic and the Free Patriotic Movement are ongoing, and so are the discussions with Hezbollah, pointing out that the relationship is not as tense as it was before. Moreover, he stressed that there is a political disagreement with former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and that the relationship with him is not at its best.
"No one in Lebanon can eliminate anyone, no matter where their external or internal support comes from," he said, considering that "Lebanon has lost so much due to regional and international conflicts."
He added, "Jumblatt says that the real heroism lies in working together to save Lebanon, away from narrow considerations."
Al-Aridi also said that Lebanon has lost the role of Beirut Port for a long time, adding that “enhancing the relations with both China and Russia is an opportunity for Lebanon."
In addition, he emphasized that “al-Taif agreement is an entry to the solution, but if the situation continues as it is today, then we will witness a new political formula."
Regarding the "Seif al-Quds" Battle, al-Aridi confirmed that it is the one of the most honorable battles and that “it has proven the strong attachment to the Palestinian Arab identity", pointing out that the Resistance in Lebanon has integrated with the Palestinian Resistance following the “Seif al-Quds" Battle, just as they had after the July 2006 war.
