Macron: Lebanese factions must commit to 'dissociation'

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS

All Lebanese factions must commit to a policy of dissociation and foreign powers should respect the country’s sovereignty and unity, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday ahead of a meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon (GIS) in Paris.

Representatives of all five permanent members of the UN Security Council, including U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, are attending along with envoys from Germany, Italy and regional powerhouse Egypt.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, Macron said: "The recent political crisis in Lebanon was caused by local and regional tensions."

Hariri on Tuesday revoked his earlier resignation -- tendered from Saudi Arabia one month ago -- and declared his government's desire to avoid entanglements in other countries’ internal affairs.

Macron called Hariri's decision "a positive step" and Lebanon's stability is essential for the entire region.

"For Lebanon to be protected from regional crises it’s essential that all Lebanese parties and regional actors respect the principle of non-interference,” Macron said.

“The interference of Lebanese armed groups in regional conflicts cannot go on. Hezbollah must abide by the dissociation policy," the French leader said, adding: "It is highly important to hold parliamentary polls in Lebanon as scheduled in May."

Disassociation policy

"The meeting today must show the will of international community to see the policy of regional disassociation put into place effectively by all in the country," he said.

Macron urged the international community to mobilize and do more to keep security and stability in Lebanon and also provide humanitarian and economic support.

On Nov. 4, Hariri abruptly announced his resignation in a televised address delivered from Saudi Arabia, which has long been considered his chief political patron.

He remained in Riyadh for more than two weeks before finally returning to Lebanon -- via France -- on Nov. 21. Hariri said he decided to rescind his resignation "after all factions in Lebanon had pledged to commit to the dissociation policy".

"The disassociation policy is driven by my government and adopted by all its political components and will allow us to maintain our national unity," he said.

"The stability of Lebanon may seem like a small miracle given the many conflicts that destabilize the region, but it is maintained at the cost of sacrifice, dialogue and compromise," Hariri added, continuing:

"Lebanon's stability is a priority to ensure stability in the region."

Reject US move on Jerusalem

Both leaders also expressed their opposition to the American decision concerning Jerusalem and agreed it would only complicate peace talks between Israel and Palestine, destabilizing the region even more.

Following the meeting, Hariri vowed that his government will abide by the dissociation policy, adding that the support group insisted on "absolute need" to adhere to non-interference.

"It is in the interest of Lebanon that all local factions abide by the dissociation policy. You will see that Lebanon will commit to that," he affirmed, warning that any breach of this policy would "drag Lebanon back into the danger zone".

Referring to the Syrian refugee crisis, the Lebanese premier reiterated it is the biggest problem that Lebanon is facing and his country "is paying a very big price on behalf of the entire world" by hosting an estimated 1.5 million refugees.

He said the only solution would be for the Syrians to go back home provided that it is safe for them to do so.

"Until that is achieved, the international community must assume its responsibility towards Lebanon and the refugees," Hariri said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said further events would be held in Paris and Rome to come up with concrete measures to boost Lebanon’s economy and strengthen its armed forces at a time of growing regional turmoil.

Besides, a conference will be held in Brussels to help Lebanon with the Syrian refugees crisis.