Franjieh Softens Stance after Brawl over his Comments on Sfeir

 
Key opposition member and former cabinet minister Suleiman Franjieh said he was willing to stop his verbal campaign on Bkirki if the Maronite seat follows suit.

 

“We don”t want to escalate. We want to stop that bickering,” Franjieh said at a press conference from his

hometown of Bnashii in north Lebanon.

 

Franjieh on Wednesday continued his attacks on Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, urging him to resign “because archbishops who reach the age of 74 are asked to quit.”

 

Franjieh also accused Sfeir of working as a “cover for a critical scheme.”

 

“Statements by Bkirki and the archbishops are not less decent than those (made) by some politicians who are known for their street talk,” Franjieh told NBN television.

 

Friday”s press conference came as the Council of Maronite Bishops was holding an extraordinary session in Bkirki. No official statement was issued after the meeting and Bishop Samir Mazloom announced that there would be further consultations.

 

“We”re not seeking trouble with Bkirki,” Franjieh stressed in a quiet tone.

 

“But if he (Sfeir) wants to talk politics, he will hear politics,” Franjieh said.

 

He said that the seat of the Maronite church dealt “positively” with his remarks on NBN, warning that pro-Bkirki demonstrations would be encountered by pro-Franjieh protests.

 

Franjieh”s interview with NBN had caused public outrage, sending hundreds of sympathizers to Bkirki in support of Sfeir.