WikiLeaks: Mikati describes Hezbollah as \'tumor\'

Prime Minister Najib Mikati Beirut – Georges Chahine WikiLeaks documents revealed that Prime Minister Najib Mikati described Hezbollah several times as a "tumor" during a meeting on December 18, 2008 with US State Department official David Hale and former US Ambassador to Lebanon Michele Sison. “The group's mini-state must be removed in order to preserve Lebanon,” he added. Mikati predicted that Saad Hariri and the March 14 Alliance would win the elections, but that he refuses to head the government if the March 8 won the elections as “Sunnis will not be on his side, which is evident in the failure of previous governments which were headed by Selim Al Hoss and Omar Karami, and that Rafic Hariri’s blood is still in Tripoli.” Mikati also revealed that Mohammed Al Safadi, Minister of Economy and Trade, tried to build bridges with Omar Karami during the elections. He also described President Michel Sleiman as quiet and unchallenging, adding that he had a "worrisome" conversation with Sleiman on December 17 in which the President said his job was easier than he had expected. Mikati also described the Lebanese Armed Forces as polarized in favour of March 8 with most officers supporting Hezbollah and Change and Reform.
Future Television, which is owned by Hariri, released a secret American document discovered by WikiLeaks and dated 19th December 2009 in Beirut carrying the number 1773, containing details of a meeting between Mikati and Ambassador Sison discussing Mikati’s opinion on the peace agreements with Israel and the composition of the Lebanese Army. In addition, Mikati clearly represented himself to the US government as a Hezbollah opponent, and said that he is looking into potential opportunities for becoming Prime Minister, and would agree to a peace agreement with Israel only if it had a ‘happy ending;’ wondering at the same time whether Syria would reach an agreement with them without taking Iran’s permission. Regarding Lebanese-Syrian ties, he noted that diplomatic relations with Syria were purely "cosmetic," but also confirmed that better relations with its neighbour provided the Lebanese government with space to counter Hezbollah. David Hill, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, who was at the meeting agreed with Mikati but said that their relationship should be based on respect and no interference in each other’s issues. Hill pointed out that Syrian support certain factions of Lebanese politicians is unacceptable, referring to visits by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Interior and the commander of the Lebanese army, and the upcoming visit of Defense Minister Elias Murr. Mikati said that neutralizing Syria will give the Lebanese government some time on the expense of Hezbollah.
Mikati also said that Hezbollah’s ultimate goal in Lebanon was to create an Iranian military base on the Mediterranean from which Ayatollah Khomeini's Islamic revolution could be carried to the West. He advised Suleiman in establishing strong organisations that are capable of standing up to Hezbollah; especially that he sees a divide in the Lebanese army and the majority of its soldiers leaning towards the March 8 forces who support Hezbollah and Michel Aoun, leader of the "Free Patriotic Movement" party. Mikati believes that Suleiman felt that he did not have the full support of the army and that it is possible they would split and therefore was not able to make any critical decisions between 2005 and 2008.
Mikati expressed concern that support for the Lebanese army and the Maronite Patriarch, a traditional asset in support of the president, was not one hundred per cent. Hill stressed the need to support Suleiman, who proved to be independent and supportive of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, in spite of unfavourable circumstances.