Lebanese Cabinet Approves Seeking Foreign Help to Train Security Services
Posted on: Friday, 30 September 2005, 09:00 CDT
Text of report by Lebanese Hezbollah TV Al-Manar on 30 September
[Presenter] The Lebanese cabinet has approved Prime Minister Fu'ad al-Sanyurah's request to seek the assistance of foreign expertise, especially US expertise, in training Lebanese security forces despite Hezbollah's objection to the request. During the session, which lasted over five hours, Water and Energy Minister Muhammad Funaysh said that Hezbollah maintains its objection to this request because it is suspicious of the integrity and true goals of the Americans.
For his part, Prime Minister Fu'ad al-Sanyurah said that the request will be pursued despite this objection. Answering a question, he said that this matter will not affect ministerial solidarity. He added that this request for expert assistance is not the first of its kind in Lebanon and will be limited to technical issues with no effect on Lebanese sovereignty. He noted that a number of countries, such as Russia, have expressed their willingness to assist Lebanon in this area.
[Al-Sanyurah] The issue of seeking expert assistance in training and obtaining some in-kind grants is not unprecedented in Lebanon, which has for long resorted to this policy with regard to its security and military services. This matter was deliberated on, and the decision was made to maintain this policy. We reject subordination to anyone; we will not exchange the custodianship of one country for another, not at all. Lebanon is its own custodian; there will be no custodianship. We welcome anyone wishing to extend unconditional assistance. As for demands, no one has presented us with any demands whatsoever.
Let us get over this issue and end self-flagellation. Let us think how we can help one another and receive foreign assistance while preserving our dignity and stressing our rejection of subordination to others. [Video shows Cabinet in session, al- Sanyurah addressing news conference]
Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East
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