Lebanon’s political scene saw sharp and divided exchanges among MPs. The trigger was recent statements by Hezbollah MPs.
MP Hussein Hajj Hassan answered accusations that the party’s MPs are defying the state or declaring a coup against the interior. He said what they are doing is “warning the authorities against bowing to American dictates and tutelage. Washington wants the country in crisis and not stable.”
MP Pierre Abou Assi took the opposite view. He said a raised tone toward the state reflects weakness. “Whoever raises his voice is generally weak,” he said. “He is trying to reassure his supporters and himself, and to intimidate the state.”
MP Hadi Abou Hassan warned of the seriousness of the latest developments on the explosives file. In his words, “admitting responsibility for bringing explosives into the country is very serious. It puts the state before its responsibilities. If it cannot control its borders or its citizens’ security, what is it doing?” He stressed that the country does not need a loud tone or defiance. It needs understanding.
