Deputy Speaker Farid Makari on Friday told NOW Lebanon that the situation in North Lebanon had gone “back to ground zero.”

“There was a ceasefire when the cabinet was formed, and then clashes were renewed after the obstruction of the ministerial statement formation. These were political conflicts, more than security ones,” he added.

Makari also said the ministerial statement constituted the basis of the cabinet’s work. Hence, he continued, it should address all controversial issues, as well as suggest political and economic solutions, without delay.

“Raising the issue of Resistance’s weapons in the ministerial statement is a priority and a condition. I believe that any ministerial statement which excludes solutions will not receive the Lebanese people’s confidence or address their needs, even if it gets the vote of confidence,” he noted.

Makari affirmed that without solving the issue of the Resistance’s weapons, there would be no elections in 2009.

“Would Lebanese parties be convinced of the need to build the state first and foremost, or would each party work upon its personal interests and impose its agenda?” he asked.

-NOW Staff