An-Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday that “Lebanon has the right to defend itself through its army, people and Resistance” was crossed out of the final statement issued after the national dialogue’s opening session on Tuesday.
Lebanon First bloc leader MP Fouad Siniora requested Director General of the Presidency of Lebanon Ambassador Naji Abi Assi to cross out the phrase, according to the daily.
An-Nahar added that when copies of the draft were distributed to the national dialogue committee members, Speaker Nabih Berri and Loyalty to the Resistance bloc leader MP Mohammad Raad inquired into the reason behind removing the sentence. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel, Deputy Speaker Farid Makari and Minister Jean Ogassapian said “it was controversial.”
President Michel Sleiman reportedly crossed out the statement, because not all committee members agreed on it.