Lebanon candidates fear isolation if March 8 wins

Candidates from the ruling March 14 alliance have expressed concerns over the future of Lebanon's relations with the international community if the March 8 alliance, headed by Shiite resistance group Hezbollah, wins the upcoming elections.

Amid increasing concerns about Iran's interference in Lebanese affairs, candidates of the June 7 elections have spoken out against a possible win by the March 8 alliance as Hezbollah is widely disliked in the West and is seen by the United States as a terrorist organization.

Saudi's role

If March 8 comes to power economic sanctions might be imposed on Lebanon and international aid is most likely to stop, Misbah al-Ahdab, a candidate for the Tripoli constituency, told Al Arabiya.

Ahdab added he feared regional powers such as Saudi Arabia may no longer support a March 8 ruled Lebanon as the opposition group, backed by Iran and Syria, are at odds with them.

"It was Saudi Arabia that sponsored Lebanon's national reconciliation with the Taif Agreement. It supported the whole of Lebanon without discrimination. Comparing Saudi to other countries that incite sedition is an insult that no Lebanese citizen can accept."

The assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri started the Cedar Revolution that called for the withdrawal of the Syrian army and divided Lebanon into two camps, March 14 and March 8.

It was Saudi Arabia that sponsored Lebanon's national reconciliation with the Taif Agreement. It supported the whole of Lebanon without discrimination. Comparing Saudi to other countries that incite sedition is an insult that no Lebanese citizen can accept

Candidate

Western wrath

Lebanon is in bad need of Arab and international support and its isolation if the opposition forms the government will makes things worse, Uqab Saqr, candidate for Zahle constituency, said.

"International aid to Lebanon was based on the international community's trust in the moderate approach of the government," he told Al Arabiya. "They will never trust Hezbollah which they consider a terrorist organization."

Saqr added that if March 8 wins it would have a negative effect on the Lebanese economy and that the value of the Lebanese currency, lira, depended on the West viewing the ruling government as trustworthy.

"The lira today is supported by a Saudi fund. Its value against the dollar will not stay the same if the government becomes untrustworthy. This will lead to an economic disaster whose main victim is the Lebanese citizen," he decried.

Ibrahim Kanaan, a candidate for the Free Patriotic movement, argued that Lebanon has "always consisted of two camps" and believed whatever the outcome of the elections there was no need to worry.

"If the current parliamentary minority becomes a majority and forms the coming government, it will be open and will have a new approach," he told Al Arabiya.

International aid to Lebanon was based on the international community's trust in the moderate approach of the government...They will never trust Hezbollah which they consider a terrorist organization

Uqab Saqr

Iran's influence

Fears of Iran's influence were heightened after Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's leader, announced Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's vowed to support the military if the opposition won.

When asked about Ahmadinejad's vow, Saqr said he did not believe it.

"If he had wanted to support the army, he would have done that from the start instead of arming Hezbollah."

Observers believe in light of the challenges Lebanon currently faces the March 14 coalition is better suited to run the country as foreign policy and the economy are concerned.

As election day approaches, the Lebanese people are impatiently waiting the new parliament that will be formed after four years of upheaval and political instability.


(Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid)

If he had wanted to support the army, he would have done that from the start instead of arming Hezbollah

Saqr on Iranian president