MP Estephane Douaihy

Free and United Lebanon bloc MP Estephane Douaihy expressed disappointment with the position of French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Hezbollah, stressing that "the presence of "Hezbollah" and the resistance is necessary for us because it enhances the strength of Lebanon and it imposes its presence in the world."

In an interview with "Al-Manar" television, Douaihy branded the words of the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell as part of serving the interests of Israel and its security and to impose permanent Palestinian refugee settlement on Lebanon, saying that Hezbollah's arms was not directed at other Lebanese, but at the Israeli enemy.

Douaihy noted that in Lebanon there are numerous communities, saying that we must make Lebanese citizens feel that they belong to the State, and pointed out that the only workable solution is the abolishment of political sectarianism as a whole, but this issue needs a time and can not be achieved in a rushed manner. However, he pointed out that the establishment of the abolishment of sectarianism committee is a constitutional requirement, which is important for building of the State and its foundation.

Douaihy felt that Speaker Nabih Berri has the right to propose the abolition of political sectarianism, but it should not antagonize views saying that this proposal is not appropriate at this time. "On the other hand, the proposal should not antagonize Berri's position," he added, calling for discussing the issue within the parliament.

Douaihy voiced support for lowering voting age to the age of eighteen in the upcoming municipal elections, and noted that he will vote for the amendment in the case it was launched. He declared that it is the duty and right of the Lebanese expatriate to vote, noting the necessity to communicate between Lebanon and expatriates to transfer correct and clear information on the internal Lebanese situation to prevent the propaganda media from spreading false reports. He recalled how that propaganda media claimed before the last parliamentary elections that Hezbollah was about to hijack expatriates arriving via Beirut airport.

With regard to the decentralization of municipalities, Douaihy stressed the vital importance to passbalanced development among regions to allow any municipality outside Beirut to complete self-sufficiency projects, because currently there is no municipality enjoying a budget that could finance resourceful projects in its area.

On the state administrative appointments, Douaihy said he believes that until now all administrative appointments are distributed as quotas divided between political parties, demanding in this case a quota for Zgharta in coming appointments if the old system of distribution is still prevailing.

24/1/2010