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Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Nasrallah: Hezbollah Ready to Discuss Macron's Proposal


Sun 30 Aug 2020 | 05:45 PM
Nawal Sayed

On the eve of the French president's second visit to Lebanon on Monday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah announced that his movement is ready to discuss the French proposal for a "new political contract," after the call made by Emmanuel Macron on his recent visit to agree on a new political contract.

Nasrallah confirmed on Sunday that Hezbollah is open to discussing the French proposal to reach a "new political contract" in Lebanon, provided that it is "with the will and consent of the various Lebanese factions."

"We heard about a call from the French president, on his recent visit to Lebanon, for a new political contract,” said Nasrallah.

[caption id="attachment_146326" align="aligncenter" width="850"]Nasrallah: Hezbollah Ready to Discuss Macron's Proposal Hassan Nasrallah- File Photo[/caption]

Nasrallah Sets Conditions to Accept French Proposal 

"We are open to any meaningful discussion in this field, but we have a condition that this discussion and this Lebanese dialogue be with the will and consent of the various Lebanese groups," Nasrallah noted.

However, Nasrallah did not explain the kind of changes the movement intends to take into account, explaining: "In the past few days we have heard from French official sources sharp criticism of the sectarian system in Lebanon," which "is no longer able to solve Lebanon's problems and respond to its needs."

It is noteworthy that there are 18 sects in Lebanon, and the parliament seats are pided equally between Christians and Muslims, in custom unique of its kind in the Arab countries. 

In spite of this, the successive governments that were formed under the existing system failed to meet popular demands in terms of improving living conditions.

[caption id="attachment_142356" align="aligncenter" width="750"]Lebanon Beirut Nasrallah Hezbollah Beirut Port Explosion[/caption]

Macron, the first foreign head of state to visit Beirut after the massive explosion in the port of the Lebanese capital, returns Monday to Lebanon to continue his pressure for reforms and reconstruction.

On his first visit, two days after the explosion, Macron called on Lebanese officials accused of corruption and impotence to make a "profound change" by "assuming their responsibilities" and "re-establishing a new charter" with the people to restore their confidence.

In conjunction with Macron's visit, parliamentary consultations are scheduled to begin Monday to appoint a new prime minister.

The explosion inside Ward No. 12, where 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate had been stored for more than six years, prompted the government to resign on August 10.

Many Lebanese blamed the explosion that occurred on August 4th to the ruling class since the end of the civil war (1975-1990), which they consider corrupt, impotent, and mired in favoritism.

The explosion caused the death of more than 180 people, caused severe damage to a number of neighborhoods in the capital, and revived the wave of protests that began in October 2019 and calls for the ouster of all political classes.