Libanon

[Shahab3]

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11 December, 2009
Lebanon Cabinet allows Hezbollah to keep arms

(Khaleej Times)
BEIRUT — The Lebanese parliament overwhelmingly approved a national unity government Thursday that will allow Hezbollah to keep its weapons, despite strong criticism from pro-Western lawmakers angry at the militant group’s refusal to disarm.

The vote in parliament was a further indication that Hezbollah will continue to defy a U.N. resolution calling for it to give up its weapons, which include rockets that can reach deep into Israel.

It was also a sign that Hezbollah will continue to wield great political influence at the expense of pro-Western rivals with whom it shares seats in the Cabinet and parliament — and it will retain the military muscle to back it up.
...
Prime Minister Saad Hariri formed his 30-member Cabinet a month ago, and last week it permitted Hezbollah to remain armed under the new government’s policy platform.

The Western-backed coalition, headed by Hariri, holds a slight majority in parliament, but was forced to form a shaky coalition government with Hezbollah, which has virtual veto power over the government.
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