The Guardians of the Cedars Party issued the following weekly communiqué:

Like most Lebanese, we place no importance on the ministerial statement that has preoccupied the media and political circles for several weeks now. The Lebanese people see in it merely a semantic compromise with which to jostle over the hurdle of the central problem, which is the relationship between the State and the “mini-State”.

And since the ultimate proof is in the pudding, and the problem is in people, not texts, all indications are that the dispositions of the opponents remain laden with sharp and deep divisions and disagreements. Which means that the crisis remain in a status quo and the solutions are postponed until further notice. The most that this composite government can do is to move forward on a few administrative issues but without tackling any of the hot and pressing matters.

However, one news item that was fleetingly carried by the media did draw our attention, and that is the visit by the President to the Constitutional Council last week, during which he submitted a statement of his finances and possessions in keeping with the Law on Illegitimate Wealth Acquisition. He also sent a similar statement to the Ministry of Defense as he brings his responsibilities as Army Chief to a close.

This action by the President was welcome news to the Lebanese public that has long yearned for such initiatives and for such disinterested officials with clean consciences. This action also serves to confirm that this man is different from his predecessors and that he is of a different mold than the politicians who, in their vast majority, have become figures of corruption and perversion, and masters in the organized plundering and robbing of the Lebanese people’s treasury.

This action by President Sleiman constitutes a glimmer of hope in the surrounding sea of despair, and a bright light in Lebanon’s dark nights. All that the Lebanese people hope for is that the President be guided by a divine hand to assist him in confronting these packs of political wolves which are always hungry for tearing Lebanon apart, flesh from bone.

Only the pure and clean deserve the honor of ruling over a country sanctified by God since creation. As for the devils and the dollar worshippers, let them go to hell.

Lebanon, at your service
Abu Arz
August 8, 2008