SSNP official rules out civil war but predicts the government will fall

Kuwaiti newspaper al-Rai reported that Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) MP Marwan Fares ruled out a civil war in Lebanon but predicted that the Government will be short lived .

“The situation will remain stable even after issuance of the indictment in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri because the other team (March 14) does not have enough power for confrontation and the Resistance is the strongest,” Fares said

SSNP, a member of the March 8 alliance is closely allied with Syria and Hezbollah.

Fares, however, pointed out that the Cabinet will not last long “because the Resistance would not be a cover for anyone in Government” with the issuance of the indictment.

Fares spelled out the conditions of March 8 alliance:

– Withdrawal of Lebanese judges from the Special Tribunal of Lebanon

– Halting of STL funding

– Prosecution of false witnesses.

Fares said voting for STL funding in Monday’s Cabinet meeting is unlikely, adding that “if this happens, they ( March 14) will not get two-thirds.”