Last update - 00:00 14/11/2006
Lebanese PM vows to resist Hezbollah's 'tyranny of minority'
By Yoav Stern , Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters
Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora on Tuesday vowed to keep his depleted government afloat and resist demands by Hezbollah and its allies that would amount to "tyranny of the minority."
Siniora, who has lost a quarter of his 24-member cabinet since Saturday, said he would pursue dialogue despite the collapse of all-party talks and Hezbollah threats of street protests to bring down the anti-Syrian majority government.
He told Reuters in an interview that the majority of the cabinet was ready to expand, but emphasized that he would not agree to demands by Hezbollah, backed by its Shi'ite Muslim ally Amal and Christian leader Michel Aoun, for more than a third of cabinet seats.
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"They will become able to paralyze the meetings of the cabinet of ministers ... and have the ability to topple the government," Siniora said at his office in downtown Beirut.
"In a democracy, this is not possible," he said, noting the majority his coalition commands in parliament. "The point that's being mentioned there is the tyranny of the minority, which by all democratic principles, does not stand."
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah in comments published Tuesday called on his supporters not to shy from a new civil war. In a speech he gave on Monday before thousands in south Beirut Nasrallah said "some are trying to frighten us with this option [of a civil war] ... but I tell you - the weak are behind this scare campaign," he said.
In the comments published on the Lebanese Arab language daily A-Safir, the Hezbollah chief reassured that his organization would act to maintain stability in Lebanon.
"This country is our country, and we have sacrificed tens of thousands of fatalities, casualties, prisoners and mutilated individuals and our most prized possessions to protect it and its honor. We will not turn our backs on it and will uphold peace between the residents as well as stability."
In its latest political earthquake, all of the government's Shi'ite ministers, affiliated with the Hezbollah and Amal movements, resigned. By walking out the ministers caused the government to breach the Lebanese constitution, which requires that Shi'ite representatives be included in the cabinet.
In his speech, Nasrallah also said that a "clean government" would be established in Lebanon. According to the Hezbollah chief, "the current government will step down. We will have nothing to do with it once it resigns ... it has zero credibility."
Despite this crisis, however, the Lebanese government has made an historical decision to establish an international court to investigate the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri.
President Emil Lahoud, member of the pro-Syrian camp in the government, has said this decision is illegitimate.
1.
Where and when did he saz that exactlz
Where and when did he saz that exactlz
14:04
|
tom
14/11/06
2.
Nasralla
Nasralla
14:32
|
bakunin
14/11/06
3.
Every word a lie.
Every word a lie.
14:32
|
Avi
14/11/06
4.
Nasrallah the Coward
Nasrallah the Coward
14:53
|
Steve
14/11/06
5.
Lazy Journalism
Lazy Journalism
14:57
|
Paulo
14/11/06
6.
I see his prepared to sacrifice more of his peoples lives
I see his prepared to sacrifice more of his peoples lives
15:00
|
British academic
14/11/06
7.
re: Avi #3
re: Avi #3
15:03
|
Paulo
14/11/06
8.
Not True
Not True
15:10
|
Sabra
14/11/06
9.
Another French success story!
Another French success story!
15:10
|
Davi d Teich
14/11/06
10.
The content of the article contradicts the title
The content of the article contradicts the title
15:10
|
Adina
14/11/06
11.
BOMB TEHRAN NOW!
BOMB TEHRAN NOW!
15:12
|
Amir
14/11/06
12.
The next Lebanese constitution will be Sharia !
The next Lebanese constitution will be Sharia !
15:14
|
Akiva Patysh
14/11/06
13.
inacurate article
inacurate article
15:14
|
mazen
14/11/06
14.
Ahlan wasahlan Civil War
Ahlan wasahlan Civil War
15:20
|
Tamir Gaza
14/11/06
15.
Israel hit not hard enough
Israel hit not hard enough
15:30
|
Jonathan S
14/11/06
16.
Nasrallah and Olmert Comparisons
Nasrallah and Olmert Comparisons
15:33
|
Ronnie Wolman
14/11/06
17.
Civil War
Civil War
15:38
|
Aaron
14/11/06
18.
His true colours
His true colours
15:44
|
Georges
14/11/06
19.
The friend and Hero of the Lebanese
The friend and Hero of the Lebanese
15:44
|
ScotGuy
14/11/06
20.
to steve
to steve
15:52
|
keisari
14/11/06
21.
Nasralla
Nasralla
15:54
|
Sam
14/11/06
22.
"Not to be afraid of"
"Not to be afraid of"
15:55
|
sh
14/11/06
23.
His country
His country
15:56
|
Sam
14/11/06
24.
u fucckin israel`s ...haaretz publishes bullshitt
u fucckin israel`s ...haaretz publishes bullshitt
15:56
|
george
14/11/06
25.
CIVIL WAR
CIVIL WAR
16:01
|
ottomatik
14/11/06
26.
peace
peace
16:07
|
sabra
14/11/06
27.
nasrallah
nasrallah
16:12
|
lebanese warrior
14/11/06
28.
Misreporting as usual
Misreporting as usual
16:17
|
H50
14/11/06
29.
Haaretz is becoming a spin doctor
Haaretz is becoming a spin doctor
16:22
|
American Taxpayer
14/11/06
30.
Interpretation
Interpretation
16:22
|
Aaron
14/11/06
31.
to dumb avi and steve
to dumb avi and steve
16:25
|
MW
14/11/06
32.
To OTTO
To OTTO
16:30
|
mazen
14/11/06
33.
correct yoursleves pls
correct yoursleves pls
16:33
|
j
14/11/06
34.
TROUBLE IN MIDEAST
TROUBLE IN MIDEAST
16:36
|
Dick Turpin
14/11/06
35.
Hezbollah to make war with Israel
Hezbollah to make war with Israel
16:39
|
Foley
14/11/06
36.
Next: A Lebanese Shia Islamist State
Next: A Lebanese Shia Islamist State
16:40
|
Semsem
14/11/06
37.
#13, you`re pretty stupid
#13, you`re pretty stupid
16:41
|
14
14/11/06
38.
And So the Obvious Occurs...
And So the Obvious Occurs...
16:41
|
Musa
14/11/06
39.
George of Lebanon / Paris #10: You fled Lebanon
George of Lebanon / Paris #10: You fled Lebanon
16:44
|
Laila
14/11/06
40.
9 and Facts - Mutually Exclusive
9 and Facts - Mutually Exclusive
16:45
|
Erik
14/11/06
41.
Haaretz is becoming a spin doctor
Haaretz is becoming a spin doctor
16:51
|
John Connor
14/11/06
42.
To Mazen...
To Mazen...
16:53
|
Freddy Quinn
14/11/06
43.
NO. 10 You are a racist and I don`t know why Ha`aretz lets you
NO. 10 You are a racist and I don`t know why Ha`aretz lets you
16:58
|
Dan
14/11/06
44.
Siniora is a dead man walking
Siniora is a dead man walking
16:59
|
Yaakov Cohn
14/11/06
45.
it is good news, it will make everybody happy
it is good news, it will make everybody happy
17:01
|
Tamir Gaza
14/11/06
46.
29.3% shia in lebanon
29.3% shia in lebanon
17:05
|
mazen
14/11/06
47.
The boot`s on the other foot....
The boot`s on the other foot....
17:06
|
Dave Kennaird
14/11/06
48.
To....No.23
To....No.23
17:07
|
George Smith
14/11/06
49.
to OTTOMATIK
to OTTOMATIK
17:19
|
Can`t believe this
14/11/06
50.
It OK To Have Allies But Not To Share With`em Lebanon
It OK To Have Allies But Not To Share With`em Lebanon
17:22
|
Joseph E .
14/11/06
51.
Haaretz`s Mis-Information
Haaretz`s Mis-Information
17:25
|
Hani
14/11/06
52.
Nasrallah and the future of Lebanon
Nasrallah and the future of Lebanon
17:27
|
Maurice
14/11/06
53.
I told you so: CIVIIL WAR
I told you so: CIVIIL WAR
17:35
|
Dave
14/11/06
54.
Hizbollah and Haaretz
Hizbollah and Haaretz
17:42
|
Ted
14/11/06
55.
I told you so: CIVIL WAR
I told you so: CIVIL WAR
17:42
|
Dave
14/11/06
56.
Hezzy works in Iran`s interests, not Lebanon`s
Hezzy works in Iran`s interests, not Lebanon`s
17:46
|
Dave
14/11/06
57.
Hezbollah chief tell supporters not to shy away from civil war???
Hezbollah chief tell supporters not to shy away from civil war???
17:47
|
Sam (UK)
14/11/06
58.
nasrallah serves iran and syria only
nasrallah serves iran and syria only
17:51
|
freeurmind
14/11/06
59.
Many of you here deny the civil war option
Many of you here deny the civil war option
17:53
|
Dave
14/11/06
60.
# 9 Ari Sharon was born in Israel.
# 9 Ari Sharon was born in Israel.
18:03
|
ChanahS
14/11/06
61.
Sam # 32
Sam # 32
18:08
|
ChanahS
14/11/06
62.
Preparation of Lebanon`s NEW CIVIL WAR
Preparation of Lebanon`s NEW CIVIL WAR
18:09
|
* BEN JABO
14/11/06
63.
#10 - George
#10 - George
18:12
|
* BEN JABO
14/11/06
64.
To LAILA
To LAILA
18:16
|
Oren Stern
14/11/06
65.
Siniora is dead and is too dumb to lay down
Siniora is dead and is too dumb to lay down
18:17
|
* BEN JABO
14/11/06
66.
To All Lebanese who celebrated Hezbollah "Victory"
To All Lebanese who celebrated Hezbollah "Victory"
18:19
|
Max Zinger
14/11/06
67.
34. Israel have to live with war for centuries
34. Israel have to live with war for centuries
18:22
|
Tony
14/11/06
68.
Whether pig-face nasrallah said it or not, civil war`s a comin!!!
Whether pig-face nasrallah said it or not, civil war`s a comin!!!
18:26
|
Dave
14/11/06
69.
amazing
amazing
18:27
|
Josh
14/11/06
70.
To Musa
To Musa
18:32
|
Josh
14/11/06
71.
resisting corruption unfortunately
resisting corruption unfortunately
18:34
|
mazen
14/11/06
72.
Say goodnight Siniora
Say goodnight Siniora
18:37
|
Natallie Durson
14/11/06
73.
Full Respect for Nasrallah
Full Respect for Nasrallah
18:40
|
Roman
14/11/06
74.
HEZBOLLAH RESISTS ISRAELI TYRANNY
HEZBOLLAH RESISTS ISRAELI TYRANNY
18:51
|
jacques
14/11/06
75.
SINIORA TRAITOR
SINIORA TRAITOR
18:51
|
hans
14/11/06
76.
Nasrallah and the future of Lebanon
Nasrallah and the future of Lebanon
18:53
|
Maurice
14/11/06
77.
Dave
Dave
18:57
|
F.Y
14/11/06
78.
Josh (and Musa)
Josh (and Musa)
18:59
|
ChanahS
14/11/06
79.
Lebanon
Lebanon
19:04
|
Mordechai
14/11/06
80.
Josh 42
Josh 42
19:07
|
Musa
14/11/06
81.
#23. Musa. 100% correct
#23. Musa. 100% correct
19:15
|
Polybios
14/11/06
82.
Lebanon
Lebanon
19:15
|
Mordechai
14/11/06
83.
Lebannon: Terminal Patient
Lebannon: Terminal Patient
19:18
|
ScotGuy
14/11/06
84.
To Oren
To Oren
19:23
|
whatsinaname
14/11/06
85.
#6 Keisari - what a joke
#6 Keisari - what a joke
19:25
|
ScotGuy
14/11/06
86.
#45 So naive!
#45 So naive!
19:27
|
Maurice
14/11/06
87.
To be fair
To be fair
19:37
|
Canadian
14/11/06
88.
The anatomy of hoax
The anatomy of hoax
19:40
|
Alef
14/11/06
89.
to musa
to musa
19:49
|
Bernard
14/11/06
90.
NASRULLAH DIDN`T TELL SUPPORTERS NOT TO SHY AWAY FROM CIVIL WAR!!
NASRULLAH DIDN`T TELL SUPPORTERS NOT TO SHY AWAY FROM CIVIL WAR!!
19:50
|
THE JACKAL
14/11/06
91.
TO DAVE IN TORONTO
TO DAVE IN TORONTO
19:55
|
LEBANESE & PROUD
14/11/06
92.
ScotGuy, you`re wasting your time with these people
ScotGuy, you`re wasting your time with these people
20:08
|
Dave
14/11/06
93.
To Dave
To Dave
20:23
|
Elie
14/11/06
94.
Proud Lebanese: Nasarallah is a respectful guy....
Proud Lebanese: Nasarallah is a respectful guy....
20:30
|
John
14/11/06
95.
#56 - Democracy in Lebanon!
#56 - Democracy in Lebanon!
20:31
|
Eric
14/11/06
96.
What you expect
What you expect
20:36
|
John
14/11/06
97.
To Lebanese & Proud and Dave in Toronto
To Lebanese & Proud and Dave in Toronto
20:40
|
Hani
14/11/06
98.
To #56
To #56
20:40
|
Pepe
14/11/06
99.
MORE OF A REASON TO PROVE ISRAEL ACHIEVED ITS OBJECTIVES!!!!!!!
MORE OF A REASON TO PROVE ISRAEL ACHIEVED ITS OBJECTIVES!!!!!!!
20:48
|
TR
14/11/06
100.
Dave...
Dave...
20:52
|
lebanese coward
14/11/06
101.
#57 dave
#57 dave
20:52
|
Scot
14/11/06
102.
Why Nasrallah-Hezballah resisted investigation? - Because........
Why Nasrallah-Hezballah resisted investigation? - Because........
20:53
|
Vittorio
14/11/06
103.
Dave ya Dave
Dave ya Dave
20:54
|
lebanese coward
14/11/06
104.
to George #10
to George #10
20:59
|
100% Leb
14/11/06
105.
no Charles de Gaulle among present day French leaders
no Charles de Gaulle among present day French leaders
21:00
|
zayyin ba ayin
14/11/06
106.
Shhhhhht!!! Nasrallah
Shhhhhht!!! Nasrallah
21:05
|
100% Leb
14/11/06
107.
NASRALLAH IS RIGHT HEZBOLLAH HAS EARNED ITS FAIR SHARE!
NASRALLAH IS RIGHT HEZBOLLAH HAS EARNED ITS FAIR SHARE!
21:08
|
Dutch
14/11/06
108.
Hizboullah will win
Hizboullah will win
21:16
|
john haydar
14/11/06
109.
random censorship (and lack thereof)
random censorship (and lack thereof)
21:16
|
educated reader
14/11/06
110.
Nasrallah is gay
Nasrallah is gay
21:23
|
Tamir Gaza
14/11/06
111.
#23. Musa (2d attempt)
#23. Musa (2d attempt)
21:24
|
Polybios
14/11/06
112.
Dave needs attention..
Dave needs attention..
21:28
|
northern neighbor
14/11/06
113.
don`t get disillusioned
don`t get disillusioned
21:29
|
Gus
14/11/06
114.
Will Siniora cry again ?
Will Siniora cry again ?
21:35
|
Karam
14/11/06
115.
Un peu de courage
Un peu de courage
21:45
|
Brant
14/11/06
116.
#44, Natalie Durston
#44, Natalie Durston
21:45
|
Cipora Julianna Kohn
14/11/06
117.
Keisari`s daydream #6
Keisari`s daydream #6
21:46
|
William
14/11/06
118.
HEZOLLAH HAS EARNED ITS FAIR SHARE
HEZOLLAH HAS EARNED ITS FAIR SHARE
21:46
|
Dutch
14/11/06
119.
OH LEBANON
OH LEBANON
21:49
|
Dale
14/11/06
120.
To the proud Lebanese #58
To the proud Lebanese #58
21:51
|
William
14/11/06
121.
#46 THE PM SHOULD BE SINGING HEZBOLLAH`S PRAISE
#46 THE PM SHOULD BE SINGING HEZBOLLAH`S PRAISE
21:56
|
Dutch
14/11/06
122.
To Jacque - a question #46
To Jacque - a question #46
22:14
|
William
14/11/06
123.
Pig faces? Begin, Golda etc. No 40
Pig faces? Begin, Golda etc. No 40
22:15
|
Lebanee admirer
14/11/06
124.
Haaretz Has a Problem Publishing My Comments
Haaretz Has a Problem Publishing My Comments
22:30
|
Loren
14/11/06
125.
To Eric
To Eric
22:44
|
Elie
14/11/06
126.
To Pepe
To Pepe
22:48
|
Elie
14/11/06
127.
#81. Dutch. The reason to fight it...
#81. Dutch. The reason to fight it...
23:04
|
Polybios
14/11/06
128.
#87 William finishes his post with this...
#87 William finishes his post with this...
23:09
|
Johnboy
14/11/06
129.
Notice That No Arab League Comment is made about leb skirmishes
Notice That No Arab League Comment is made about leb skirmishes
23:16
|
Joseph E .
14/11/06
130.
President Emil Lahoud and Hezbollah chief are liars
President Emil Lahoud and Hezbollah chief are liars
23:36
|
Joseph E .
14/11/06
131.
re: TR #68
re: TR #68
23:39
|
Paulo
14/11/06
132.
Polybios 81
Polybios 81
23:49
|
Musa
14/11/06
133.
To elie
To elie
00:13
|
Sir Hani
15/11/06
134.
big mouth Fuad Sinora
big mouth Fuad Sinora
00:23
|
morice
15/11/06
135.
Nassarallah : not to shy from a new civil war
Nassarallah : not to shy from a new civil war
00:29
|
Joseph E .
15/11/06
136.
Why?
Why?
00:53
|
john
15/11/06
137.
nasrallah cannot be PM
nasrallah cannot be PM
00:59
|
john
15/11/06
138.
Down Bolton`s gov`t in Beirut
Down Bolton`s gov`t in Beirut
01:12
|
Lebanese in Canada
15/11/06
139.
Civil war
Civil war
01:20
|
Lebanese in Canada
15/11/06
140.
Well, February 14 already did manifestations
Well, February 14 already did manifestations
01:21
|
Lebanese in Canada
15/11/06
141.
To dave from Toronto
To dave from Toronto
01:37
|
Lebanese in Canada
15/11/06
142.
87% of the Lebanese supported Hezbollah fighting Israeli terroris
87% of the Lebanese supported Hezbollah fighting Israeli terroris
02:02
|
Lebanese in Canada
15/11/06
143.
To Tamir Gaza from England
To Tamir Gaza from England
02:09
|
Lebanese in Canada
15/11/06
144.
Leb-shia voted for a war criminal
Leb-shia voted for a war criminal
02:30
|
Joseph E .
15/11/06
145.
#108 - Nassrallah as PM
#108 - Nassrallah as PM
03:00
|
* BEN JABO
15/11/06
146.
#110 - :Leb in Canada
#110 - :Leb in Canada
03:03
|
* BEN JABO
15/11/06
147.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was a house guest of the "tanned swimmer"
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was a house guest of the "tanned swimmer"
03:13
|
zayyin ba ayin
15/11/06
148.
Reuters new link - if some would like to protest Reuters for ...
Reuters new link - if some would like to protest Reuters for ...
03:30
|
zayyin ba ayin
15/11/06
149.
Isn`t this the same guy...
Isn`t this the same guy...
03:56
|
Micha
15/11/06
150.
to john in beirut says, "nasrallah cannot be PM"
to john in beirut says, "nasrallah cannot be PM"
04:18
|
the cedar revolution
15/11/06
151.
no such words in the Hebrew edition of Ha`aretz
no such words in the Hebrew edition of Ha`aretz
04:32
|
zayyin ba ayin
15/11/06
152.
to Josh
to Josh
04:41
|
Rammi Abraham
15/11/06
153.
missing the point
missing the point
07:32
|
Leb
15/11/06
154.
NO PROBLEMS IN LEBANON
NO PROBLEMS IN LEBANON
09:58
|
LEBANESE
15/11/06
155.
Lebanese in Canada
Lebanese in Canada
15:52
|
Dave
15/11/06
156.
Correction to Lebanese in Canada
Correction to Lebanese in Canada
16:55
|
Dave
15/11/06