LEBANON: CABINET REVOKES CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS

UNCLAS BEIRUT 000690 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: CABINET REVOKES CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) On May 14, the Cabinet revoked its two contentious decisions on transferring the head of airport security after discovering Hizballah-installed monitoring cameras and declaring Hizballah's fiber optics network illegal. The decisions, which sparked street violence between Hizballah fighters and pro-March 14 supporters since May 7, were rescinded after meetings with the Qatari-led Arab League (AL) delegation. Meanwhile, political leaders agreed to meet in Doha on May 16 to hold a national dialogue focused on government formation and a new electoral law. While Hizballah arms are not formally on the agenda, it appears they will be addressed. End summary. ARIDI ANNOUNCES CABINET HAS REVOKED PREVIOUS DECISIONS -------------- ¶2. (U) Following a five-hour long cabinet meeting, the Siniora government rescinded its May 5 decisions to remove the head of airport security and to confront Hizballah's fiber optics network following the discovery of HIzballah-installed monitoring cameras at Beirut International Airport. Reading the cabinet statement, Minister of Information Ghazi Aridi said, "In order to facilitate the negotiations of the Arab League Ministerial delegation and to preserve national unity and the security of citizens, the government decided to accept the Lebanese Armed Forces' (LAF) request to abolish these two cabinet decisions." HIZBALLAH CELEBRATES DECISION -------------- ¶3. (U) Celebratory shots by pro-opposition supporters were heard in various areas, notably in the predominantly Shia areas of the southern suburbs of Beirut. Hizballah supporters went to the streets to celebrate the cabinet's announcement. ARAB LEAGUE FM'S MET WITH KEY POLITICAL LEADERS -------------- ¶4. (U) Meanwhile, the Arab League (AL) ministerial delegation, which arrived Beirut on May 14, met with Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, LAF Commander Michel Suleiman, former President Amine Gemayel, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement Michel Aoun, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Future Movement Party leader Saad Hariri. ¶5. (U) The AL also met with Hizballah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem on May 15. In a press conference held after the meeting, Qassem stated that all pending issues can be solved through dialogue that will be sponsored by the AL and will address the national unity government and the electoral law. As for the presidency, it has already been determined that General Sleiman will be president. He added, "We want to reach a compromise whereby there is no winner and no loser." Qassem noted, "We want to work hand in hand in order to build Lebanon; neither U.S. intervention nor external meddling is in the interest of Lebanon." FIRST MEETING IN DOHA ON MAY 16 -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Ghattas Khoury, advisor to MP Saad Hariri, told us the AL reached an agreement to start negotiations, and the dialogue will probably begin in Doha on May 16. He expects a public announcement around 1530 local time on May 15. The agreement was that the dialogue will focus on the two points: electoral law and government formation. Khoury added that the issue of Hizballah's weapons will be put on the agenda "in an acceptable way." A resigned Khoury said but said it "was the best we can do" and "it will buy us time." The expected attendees will be the leaders of the fourteen key political factions, although it is expected that Hizballah SYG Hassan Nasrallah will not personally attend. SISON