Lebanese Tourism Minister Joe Sarkis: The War - An Iranian Attempt to Resolve Its Nuclear Issues through Lebanon. The Majority in the Lebanese Government Should Be More Resolute, Rather Than Always Trying to Reach a Consensus

Following are excerpts from an interview with Lebanese Minister of Tourism Joe Sarkis, which aired on Noursat TV on August 11, 2006.

Joe Sarkis: We have seen that some of the countries in the region, and specifically Syria and Iran, are trying to impose their regional policies, and [to resolve] their issues and problems through the Lebanese arena. Lebanon can no longer tolerate being the arena for failed gambles, and for the adventures and wars of others on Lebanese soil. As we have seen, the Lebanese have fought and even got killed for the sake of others. This makes no sense. True, Israel is our enemy, but are Syria and Iran really fulfilling their duties of brotherhood and friendship towards Lebanon? I don't think this is what we have seen. This has become evident from the way the Syrian brothers have behaved for a whole year towards Lebanon, and today it is also evident that the Iranians are trying to resolve their problems with the international community, regarding the nuclear issues, through the conflict in Lebanon.

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We cannot tolerate this destruction and ruin anymore. People are being killed, not knowing for what. Clearly, all that has happened does not serve Lebanon's interest.

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I admit that the Lebanese government should have been more resolute. We have always tried to reach results through general agreement between the different parties in the government, but we were not successful, and this certainly does not speak well for the government.

Interviewer: But you are the majority, minister.

Joe Sarkis: That is true, but we have not exercised our majority as we should have, or as is acceptable among governments, with the majority overcoming the minority. Because of the composition of Lebanon, we have tried as much as we could to make decisions - especially decisions of such importance - by agreement and consensus. We were not successful, but I think this war has taught us many things.

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I hope all of us in Lebanon are aware that this war has not brought any results. This war has shown that the only great loser is Lebanon. Eventually, the war will end, and things will go back on track, but there will be one loser - Lebanon. Therefore, I hope we have learned how not to repeat such incidents, which take us backwards. On the contrary, this time we insist on a final solution, so that these issues will not be reopened. This solution can only be achieved through a strong Lebanese state, and through a capable and efficient government, which would assume control over things, as it should, and implement the law with full courage and strength, which would guarantee that the country could go on.