Lebanon: Main opposition groups declared a common position
Dozens of principal opposition groups and parties in Lebanon on Sunday declared a common position and plan to find a solution to the multiple crises of the country. Indeed, the active groups in the previous manifestation that launched in October last year had been chronically unable to show unity.
Representatives of the various organizations declared their announcement on Martyr’s Square, the center of the protests in Beirut, and several Lebanese calls it the October 17 revolution. In fact, the protests that disturbed for a short time hereditary ruling elite of Lebanon requested an end to sectarianism and corruption via a total revamp of the system.
It should be noted that a huge explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, one of the largest blast in history, conducted Lebanon to a deep crisis and revived demands inside and outside for a radical overhaul of the state. A joint document that was read on the podium said: What we are going through here today was caused by the greed of this political system.
The opposition groups determined the principal items of their program, such as full reforms towards a non-sectarian political system and a more sustainable economic model.
Naji Abou Khalil, a leader of the National Bloc party, said: This is an extremely important moment because it shows that 30 odd groups spoke in a single voice, which proves wrong government allegations that there is no opposition, and he added: This is a first step towards the creation of a structured front that will be able to rise to the challenge of the crisis Lebanon is going through and of the Lebanese people’s expectations.
Moreover, the opposition groups have frequently been gathering since the blast on August 4 to make a list of figures that could form a competent and independent transition government.
Hassan Sinno, a member of the Massirat Watan opposition movement, reported: We have names, we are ready. He informed AFP: The goal today is make it clear for the political class that there are existing people here, who are in Lebanon and ready to step up, he also said: Tonight is a very important step, adding that it’s the first time that groups that are mostly born out of the October 17 revolution have reached an agreement on a common program.
Furthermore, the opposition groups refused the name that appeared Sunday to substitute Prime Minister Hassan Diab that its government resigned after the explosion of August 4.
It’s looked that Mustapha Adib, a little-known diplomat, is close to being nominated in parliamentary consultations organized on Monday after the political heads figures of the country reached an agreement.
