Suleiman: Parliament should not boycott presidential election

The Dec. 8 speech by Lebanese President Michel Suleiman in the Baabda Palace was no ordinary one. His words were few, but highly meaningful in clarifying key concepts. Some of those concepts were already known, while others have been promoted by the president and have become a main feature of his presidency.

The president’s speech encapsulated his six years of experience as head of state. He gave ideas on how to get out of the gridlock and strengthen the social safety and political development of Lebanon’s political system. If Suleiman’s reign can be summarized in one feature, it may be his tireless efforts to keep Lebanon neutral toward regional conflicts. That was the essence of the Baabda Declaration, a document that not only was approved by all Lebanese parties, but also formed the basis over which the international powers met in support of Lebanon in a New York conference last month. That conference was one of the declaration’s most prominent manifestations.