Hezbollah has right to keep arms: government

Lebanon's new government said on Wednesday it backed Hezbollah's right to keep its weapons to deter Israeli attacks, an issue that has been at the heart of Lebanon's political crisis over the past five years.

The government, led by businessman Saad al-Hariri, said in its policy statement that it sought to tackle economic woes, financial stability and public debt.

Lebanon largely shrugged off the effects of the global financial crisis but has public debt of around $50 billion.

"We have just adopted the policy statement of the cabinet," said Information Minister Tareq Mitri after an endorsement session chaired by President Michel Suleiman.

"There is paragraph 6 of the draft that was approved. This paragraph reiterates... with respect to the right of Lebanon, its people, its army and its resistance to liberate the occupied Lebanese territory in Shebaa and Kfar Shouba hills," he said.

Israel considers Shebaa Farms area part of the Golan Heights, which it has occupied since the 1967 Middle East war. Lebanon and Syria say the land is part of south Lebanon. But Syria also says the boundaries can only be delineated when Israel withdraws.

Mitri said one minister of the 30-member cabinet objected to article 6 while four others expressed their reservations.

"This objection is natural and legitimate. But it does not mean there is an opposition bloc inside the cabinet. We are one united government," he told reporters.

There is paragraph 6 of the draft that was approved. This paragraph reiterates... with respect to the right of Lebanon, its people, its army and its resistance to liberate the occupied Lebanese territory in Shebaa and Kfar Shouba hills

Information Minister Tareq Mitri

The policy statement, to be presented to parliament next week for a vote of confidence which is expected to pass, is seen as key to tackling the deep divisions between Hariri's coalition, backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia, and Syrian- and Iranian-backed Hezbollah and its allies.

Once the vote of confidence is passed, Hariri is expected to visit Damascus and hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Hariri's coalition accused Syria of assassinating statesman Rafik al-Hariri, Saad's father, in February 2005.

Syria denies any links, but the killing forced Damascus to end its 29-year military presence in Lebanon in April 2005 and led to the formation of a special court in The Hague to investigate and prosecute the killers.

We have just adopted the policy statement of the cabinet

Mitri