Siniora: attempts are altering all national achievements in favor of Hezbollah

Former PM Fouad Siniora considers that "the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza has great negative effects on Lebanon, especially since this invasion of Gaza became a destruction and a killer machine."

In an interview with the channel "TRT", he pointed out that "the Israeli army is attacking and sending raids on Lebanon every single day. All of these have many negative effects at all political, economic, living, and security levels, especially since Lebanon has not yet been relieved from the Israeli invasion in 2006."

Siniora said, "Lebanon is suffering from three main current crises. A political and national crisis, as it has not yet been able to elect a new president of the republic, nor to reconstitute its constitutional institutions, nor to form a new government. Lebanon is also suffering from a serious economic, financial and living crisis."

He pointed out that "Israel is still threatening Lebanon and that there are Israeli officials, specifically Netanyahu, who have visited the border between occupied Palestine and Lebanon, and have increased the violence positions against Lebanon. In my opinion, they want to get Israel out of the crisis in which Israelis have been living as a result of the continuation of the war they have been waging in Gaza for eight months. This war can no longer achieve any results except more killing and destruction."

In response to a question about the success of the US mediation to prevent an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah and his assessment of the US position, Siniora explained, "I do not think we can rely on the US’ assurances because their president is now in a difficult situation. He is fighting his electoral battle so he wants to please everyone. Nevertheless, he cannot please anyone."

The former PM added, "I am inclined to believe that the Israelis cannot and will not respond to what is happening on the Lebanese border, by carrying out a ground invasion of Lebanon for various reasons. Especially because Israel does not want to repeat the tragedy that the Israeli army is now suffering in Gaza. Therefore, I believe that if Israel wants to take any large-scale military action, it will be through an increase in the frequency of bombardment, violence, and raids on Lebanon."

He continued, "The reality is that Lebanon’s potential to initiate a military action to deter Israel is very little, if not non-existent. Hezbollah has military capabilities, but this only results in more destruction and killing in the country. Therefore, I believe that there is a need for the Lebanese government to carry out national action to unify the Lebanese, and to make international and Arab efforts to prevent Israel from invading it. This is the only thing Lebanon can do."

In conclusion, he believes “that this is not in anyone's interest when all these national achievements are used in the interest of Hezbollah in order to change the internal balance. This puts Lebanon in a position that contradicts its interests, those of its sons and of its Arab brothers, now and in the future."