“Some people would prefer to postpone the elections rather than lose them. “Lebanon is now in a vicious circle, and if the opposition forces persist in their position, the country will move towards a chaotic situation.

“As for Christian opinion, it will never take the side of a regional party at the expense of the homeland. “Christian reconciliation is necessary and will avert confrontations in the street. “I won’t be a candidate in the elections, and the Lebanese Forces are keen to preserve the unity of the forces of March 14”.

There is an increasing risk of instability, and this could lead to a postponement of the general elections or their cancellation. What is your view?

Indications from the present situation indicate that the forces of March 14 will retain their majority following the elections, especially in the constituencies where Christians predominate. The elections of trade unions and of the Orders of Liberal Professions give an idea of this tendency. It is confirmed that the Free Patriotic Movement [led by MP Michel Aoun] for the simple reason that it has changed its options in relation to the last legislative polls [in 2005], and this causes disquiet among the forces of March 8.

Do you therefore fear a postponement or a cancellation of the elections of 2009? And should we expect a renewal of the wave of attacks, as a member of the opposition has expressed the fear that there might be?

Nothing is impossible, and certain people would prefer to torpedo the elections rather than lose them.
In addition to the general elections, there is also another deadline, that of the tribunal of international character, which some people have been trying to block.

Different visions of Lebanon
What about political reconciliations, about which we’ve been hearing less and less?

They help to dispel tensions and prevent strife. But they have been made difficult because of the very different character of the projects proposed by the opposing sides; each side has a different vision of Lebanon. That’s where the difficulty lies. Each camp must make a definitive decision. For the moment we’re moving in a vicious circle and the elections of 2009 will settle the debate.

What is your prediction about the legislative elections?

The bitterest battles will be those where Christian parties will confront one another, and we are satisfied with the tendency of our voters; we know how they’re thinking and how they’ll react. They are not enthusiastic about the options that contradict the higher options of the homeland. In the last legislative elections, they voted strongly for the Aounists, whose options then were totally different from what they are now.

Some observers feel that General Aoun will benefit from Shiite votes?

These votes will be influential in certain places but not in others.

You seem sure of the victory of the majority camp?

On the basis of my experience and on that of a certain logic, I know how the Christians will vote.

What about reconciliations?

Suleiman Franjiyeh has postponed his reconciliation with Samir Geagea until after the elections. Don’t you believe that the outcome of the elections will make a reconciliation between them impossible?

Mr. Franjiyeh has several times laid down conditions for a reconciliation which are impossible to accept. First of all, he demanded the presence of General Aoun at any meeting he might have with Dr. Geagea, in the hope that the Lebanese Forces would oppose this. When however Dr. Geagea accepted this condition, Mr. Franjiyeh then found another pretext, saying that the reconciliation had been accepted by the Lebanese Forces only for electoral reasons.

Some have suggested that the reconciliation might take place at the Maronite Patriarchate under the auspices of the president of the Republic?
The problem is more complex than that our adversaries sometimes attack the Patriarchate because, they say, it must not interfere in politics, while at other times they suggest that it might sponsor [a reconciliation].

What about the Lebanese Forces’ alliances? And will you be a candidate in the elections?

I won’t be candidate. The post of member of Parliament doesn’t interest me.
As for the Lebanese Forces’ alliances, they will be concluded on the basis of the principles and objectives of the Cedar Revolution. And contrary to what our adversaries claim, nothing and nobody will be able to undermine the unity of our ranks, for what brings them together is more important than anything that might divide them.

A cabinet of solidarity
To what extent is there solidarity in the cabinet of national unity?

Solidarity is safe and sound so far, and the matter raised by the deputy prime minister about his prerogatives is now being resolved by the president.

Does the eleventh report of the international commission of inquiry include any elements more explicit than the ones that preceded it?

The elements are well-known, and Mr. Bellemare, the head of the commission, has informed the secretary-general of the United Nations.

Certain circles suggest that Israel might be responsible for the attacks that have occurred in Lebanon since the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri?

Naturally, there is an enemy that many point their fingers at. However, the inquiry has found a coherent pattern of leads, and if the international commission had detected any evidence that pointed to the Israelis, it would have widened its investigation.

Let’s talk about your ministry. What is your plan of work and sphere of activity?

Many projects are being studied, but I don’t want to make a lot of promises. For the moment, public opinion is more preoccupied with the elections. We have matters requiring urgent solutions to deal with, and most members of the government are focusing on strategic questions.
I myself am giving priority to the issue of hunting, and I’m working to put an end to factors of a juridical kind. If the hunting season has not opened this year, it will put off till next. It is the right of citizens, but it must be exercised with responsibility, under the supervision of the Environment Ministry and the Internal Security Forces.

A permanent conference on the environment

The ministry has also undertaken a campaign of reforestation after the serious fires that have devastated our arboreal wealth. We’ve been planting the seeds of pines and other forest trees, sowing them by helicopters. This dossier will be continued by my successor because it has a strategic character, not least because it’s essential for safeguarding our supplies of ground water. The reforestation effort will go on for about 10 years.
There’s also the matter of the quarrying, for which the ministry is working on a long-term solution.

The most important issue from the strategic standpoint is that of establishing a partnership between the ministry and civil society and of interesting it in environmental questions. I hope, before the end of my time in office, to launch a permanent conference on the environment. It’s a matter I consider vital and deserves to be completed as soon as possible.

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