FPM–Hezbollah Memorandum of Understanding (the Mar Mikhael Church document), 6 February 2006 (English translation of Arabic original)

Introduction: […] a joint memorandum of understanding between the FPM and Hezbollah was made public and read by Abu-Zeinab and Bassil. The following is the text of the memorandum dated February 6, 2006.

2 – Consensual Democracy: Consensual democracy remains the fundamental basis for governance in Lebanon, because it is the effective embodiment of the spirit of the Constitution and of the essence of the pact of shared coexistence. From this standpoint, any approach for resolving national issues according to a majority-minority formula remains dependent on historic and social conditions for practicing effective democracy in which the citizen becomes a self standing value.

3 – The Electoral Law: The reform and systematization of political life in Lebanon require the adoption of a modern electoral law (in which proportional representation may be one of its effective variations) that guarantees the accuracy and equity of popular representation […] B- Limit the influence of political money and sectarian fanaticisms. C- Make available equal opportunities for using the various media channels. D- Secure the required means for enabling the expatriate Lebanese to exercise their voting rights.

4 – Building the State: […] A- Adopt the standards of justice, equality, parity, merit and integrity. B- An equitable and impartial judiciary is the essential condition for creating a State of rights, laws and institutions […] Address corruption at the root, because temporary and pacifying solutions are no longer sufficient […] to perpetuate the theft of the resources of the State and the citizen.

9 – Lebanese-Palestinian Relations: […] B- The Right of Return of the Palestinians is a fundamental and permanent right, and the rejection of the settling of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is an issue that has the consensus of the Lebanese people and cannot be conceded under any circumstance. […] D- Address the issue of bringing the practice of weapons outside the camps to an end […] leading to the exercise of the State's authority and laws over all Lebanese territory.

10 – The Protection of Lebanon and Preserving its Independence and Sovereignty: […] carrying arms is not an objective in itself. Rather it is an honorable and sacred means that is exercised by any group whose land is occupied, in a manner identical to the methods of political resistance. In this context, Hezbollah's weapons should be addressed as part of a global approach that falls within two bounds: The first bound is the reliance on justifications that meet a national consensus for keeping the weapons, which would constitute a source of strength for Lebanon and the Lebanese people, and the other bound is the definition of objective conditions that would lead to a cessation of the reasons and justifications for keeping those weapons. Since Israel occupies the Shebaa Farms, imprisons Lebanese resistance members and threatens Lebanon, the Lebanese people should assume their responsibilities […] by: A- Liberating the Shebaa Farms from the Israeli occupation. B- Liberating the Lebanese prisoners from Israeli prisons. C- Protecting Lebanon from Israeli threats through a national dialogue leading to the formulation of a national defense strategy.