Head of the Independence Movement says Hezbollah should hand over suspects in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.

March 14 parties will join a new Cabinet only if Hezbollah endorses the Baabda Declaration, paving the way for an agreement over a national defense strategy that restricts the possession of weapons to official armed forces, head of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad said.

“Our participation in the Cabinet alongside Hezbollah depends on three factors,” Moawad told MTV station in a televised interview.

“Hezbollah should commit to the Baabda Declaration, renounce the tripartite equation of the ‘army, people and resistance’ to pave the way for an agreement on a national defense strategy and support justice by handing over the five suspects in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.”

Moawad added that Hezbollah should also hand over Mahmoud Howayek to the Lebanese judiciary for his alleged involvement in an assassination attempt targeting MP Butros Harb.

“Outside these norms, the Independence Movement opposes the participation of March 14 parties in a unity government.”

However, despite existing obstacles, negotiations to form the government have made some progress after Hezbollah dropped its demand for veto power and accepted a comprehensive rotation in ministerial portfolios, Moawad said.

The president and the prime minister-designate have played a big role in achieving this progress, Moawad explained, arguing that they alone may veto ministerial candidates.

In spite of a potential deal over the Cabinet formation, Moawad said the main obstacle to an agreement with Hezbollah is the latter’s violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and constitution by resorting to the use of illegitimate weapons.

“Hezbollah has become an alternative to Syrian hegemony in Lebanon and its participation in the fighting in Syria as well as his involvement in terrorist operations around the world is jeopardizing Lebanon’s international relations and the country’s stability and economy.”

Under no circumstances should the March 14 alliance provide a political cover for Hezbollah’s actions, Moawad said.