Interview with the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Issam Fares by the television station LBCI (8/3/2005).

• The withdrawal of the Syrian forces to the Beqa area will be completed prior to March 23, and the withdrawal from Lebanon will be quick according to the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Issam Fares who stressed that the meeting of the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council tackled only the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from Lebanon while it considered the other items of UN Resolution 1559 a purely Lebanese matter.

Mr. Issam Fares: The whole discussion centered on one clause of the UN Resolution 1559, namely, the application of the Taif Agreement concerning the withdrawal of the Syrian forces. When we tried to discuss the other clauses of the resolution, we were told that this is a Lebanese matter. The withdrawal is a very serious matter, and there was a desire to ask the military committee under the leadership of the head of the army to meet and execute the decisions that were taken by the Higher Council.
The complete withdrawal of the Syrian forces will take place before the end of March; in other words, before the Arab summit meeting due to take place on March 23. As to the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from Lebanon, I believe that it will take place very soon, but the movement of military forces is usually not broadcast and remains a secret.

• But it will not take five years.

Mr. Issam Fares: I think that the withdrawal will be quick.

• Mr. Fares has always said that the political strife should be discussed within the governmental institutions because demonstrations cannot force the fall of the state and its institutions.

Mr. Issam Fares: The demonstrations cannot bring the institutions to fall. This is wrong, and we would have committed a big blunder towards our country. The government can resign, and this is the utmost that a demonstration can do, but the State does not, and cannot fall. We have institutions, and if the demonstrators have demands let them bring them forth within those institutions. Let us hold accountable those who are responsible as we meet together within the governmental institution. However, to demonstrate and paralyze the economy, the political and social life is not permissible, because we will be entering a chaotic state with due respect to all parties.

• What about asking Mr. Omar Karami to form a new government?

Mr. Issam Fares: This is possible. Everything is possible. It all depends on the consultations the President of the Republic, Emile Lahoud will carry with the deputies. I wish that the parties who refuse to have Karami as prime minister to state this, and name someone to be prime minister and form the cabinet.

• But should we bring back the same people to the government despite the demonstrators who demanded their resignation?

Mr. Issam Fares: Unfortunately, I have to say that they should have a plan. It is not enough to force a cabinet to resign, they should name the alternative. What can we do if the opposition does not want to be part of the government? In this case, ministers who are willing to take the responsibility will be named. The running of the state cannot stop.

• What is your response to the argument that “as long as Syria is dominating the scene with its Intelligence services, there will be no reform?”

Mr. Issam Fares: These are excuses. The Syrian army has started its withdrawal along with its intelligence services. Let us all contribute by accepting to be in the government, and reform from inside the institutions.;

• Mr. Fares has considered the death of the former Prime Minister, Mr. Rafik Hariri as a big loss to Lebanon. He reiterated his wish to see the truth uncovered, and welcomes the 30 international experts that have come to Lebanon so far, to seek the truth. He also mentioned the fact that Saudi Arabia is interested in sending specialists to Lebanon. Furthermore, he warned of an incoming economic crisis in case paralysis continued to grip the country.