LEBANON: SINIORA TURNS CABINET DECISIONS OVER TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIRUT 000648

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR A/S SILVERBERG AND PDAS WARLICK
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/KUMAR/PHEE
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER/GAVITO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR ASEC UNSC EAIR SA IR LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: SINIORA TURNS CABINET DECISIONS OVER TO
ARMY

REF: A. BEIRUT 618


B. BEIRUT 646

Classified By: CDA Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, in his televised speech
on May 10, criticized Hizballah for disregarding the will of
the Lebanese people and called on the Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF) to fulfill its duty of ensuring the security of
Lebanon. Siniora also announced that the Cabinet's decisions
on transferring the head of airport security and declaring
Hizballah's fiber optics network illegal, which set off
Hizballah-organized demonstrations on May 7, had not been
finalized. He declared that the LAF would be responsible for
implementing these decisions. The PM's advisor told us that
this was "a delaying tactic."


2. (C) Hours after the PM's address, the LAF issued a
statement declaring responsibility for addressing these two
Cabinet decisions on the head of airport security and the
fiber optics network. The statement also asserts the LAF's
role in protecting the security of the state. As of 2200,
the tensions in Beirut appear somewhat lessened although
there are reports of violence in Aley and north in Tripoli.
LAF officers reported that the LAF is confused and complain
there is a lack of information on facts on the ground. The
LAF is also concerned about possible Sunni extremists moving
out from the Palestinian refugee camps. Parliament Speaker
Nabih Berri told us he has pulled back his Amal fighters,
while complaining that the homes of Syrian minorities in the
north are reportedly being set afire by Saad Hariri's Future
Movement supporters. Independent Shia Mufti of Tyre's office
has been ransacked by the opposition. End summary.

BERRI TO PULL BACK
AMAL FIGHTERS
--------------


3. (C) At 1945 on May 10, the Charge spoke with Parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri. She asked for his reaction to the Prime
Minister Fouad Siniora's televised address (para 15). Berri
became stirred up, declaring, "Siniora lied! He said that
the army would be responsible for handling the Cabinet's
decisions (Ref A) on the head of airport security and
Hizballah's fiber optics network, but I know that he sent the
file to the UN with a letter that has his signature on it!"
Getting increasingly agitated, Berri stated, "The letter is
not a fake! I have a copy and I saw his signature and I know
what Siniora's signature looks like!" He then said that Amal
MP Ali Hassan Khalil had explained to the media. (Note: In
a 15-minute press conference, Khalil accused Siniora of
fraud, blocking the dialogue, and obstructing electoral
reform. End note.)


4. (C) In response to the Charge's mention of media coverage
claiming that the opposition had agreed to abide by the
army's declaration (para 10) and pull off of the streets,
Berri confirmed the reports. He said he had asked Amal
Movement fighters to withdraw in order to facilitate the role
of the army to maintain law and order. Berri told the Charge
that security is the most important thing, adding, "We don't
have any other choice. But I am insisting upon the National
Dialogue."


5. (C) The situation in Beirut is calm, Berri said, and would
improve hour by hour. In fact, he said, he had just seen two
LAF tanks pass by his compound in Ain Tinneh. Berri told the
Charge th