MP Salim Karam

Free and United Lebanon bloc MP Salim Karam said that Speaker Nabih Berri has rushed his proposal to abolish political sectarianism and this may destabilize political stances in Lebanon.

In a television interview with MTV, Karam cautioned that Lebanese Christians have certain fears as evident by their high immigration figures, stressing that they need assurances before they could endorse drastic amendments such as the abolishment of political sectarianism.

The Zgharta MP wondered who would protect Lebanon against any Israeli aggression if Hezbollah is disarmed at this stage especially that the Lebanese army is not adequately armed to counter such aggression. However, Karam asserted that Lebanon is committed to international resolutions while he accused Israel of violating UN resolution 1701 on regular basis. "When Israel withdraws from our occupied territories, we will find a solution for Hezbollah's weapons."

Karam voiced support for a carefully arranged defensive strategy while he declared his strong opposition to the presence of Palestinian arms outside refugee camps in Lebanon.

With regard to municipal elections, Karam insisted that the polls must not be delayed for any reason, indicating that the Free and United Lebanon bloc is yet to decide on amendments proposed by Interior Minister Ziad Baroud.

Karam backed the rights of Lebanese expatriates to cast their votes in the upcoming municipal polls, but not as a condition linked to calls to have voters' age lowered to 18.

The Zgharta bloc MP revealed that "we are preparing well for the local councils elections and we are very confident about the results."

23/1/2010