Normalization cannot be resolved through outbidding and bravado. Yes to normalization if it protects us from aggression. Yes to normalization if it reclaims our land and ensures it is not occupied. Yes to normalization if it grants Lebanon the peace and prosperity we have lacked for years. Yes to normalization and no to obstinacy toward Arab paths, especially the one led by Saudi Arabia.
The statement appeared to be a response to Hezbollah's anti-normalization stance. Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad expressed on "Quds Day" last Friday the "commitment of the resistance to countering its policies and attempts to drag Lebanon towards normalization."
Baarini's statement caused a backlash from his fellow Sunni MPs.
“This is strictly a personal opinion that does not represent our bloc,” said Sajih Attieh, a member of the bloc. He emphasized that Baarini had not discussed his stance with his colleagues.As a result, key Sunni figures washed their hands of their colleague’s comments. “Normalization should not be discussed until a just peace based on a two-state solution has been achieved,” Nabil Badr, a Sunni MP for Beirut, told L’Orient-Le Jour.“I think Baarini worded it poorly. He should have said that he is in favor of the Beirut Arab initiative,” said another Sunni MP on condition of anonymity. “I think he expressed a personal position,” he added, stressing that the Sunni community is not in favor of this initiative at this stage, while being in favor of Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials continue to call for normalization with Lebanon.
"We want to normalize our relations with Lebanon," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said after meeting in Paris with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, at a press conference reported by the French daily Le Monde. He also announced the start of negotiations "on certain issues. ""We have a team negotiating on ... border disputes," he added.Saar also stated that his country wanted stability in Lebanon, but that it would not allow Hezbollah to "rearm."
Isn't it strange that the only country that consistently seeks peace since 1948 is the one that is constantly framed as the aggressor?
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