Siniora speaks out against “unethical” assault on Maronite patriarch
Franjieh stands by comments: “let them protest against me if they want”
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora criticized on Friday the “unethical campaign” against Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, describing it as an “unprecedented phenomena” and stressing that the Maronite Church was one of Lebanon”s major building bocks.
“I feel sorry for the unacceptable level of rhetoric that some people in the country have reached. Such rhetoric contradicts with the culture and customs of the Lebanese people,” Siniora said, in a clear reference to the vehement attack launched against Sfeir by former minister and opposition member Suleiman Franjieh.
Franjieh justified on Friday his criticism against Sfeir and said he had the right to politically react or respond to political statements by the prelate.
“We do not want to escalate the situation and we are not seeking trouble with Bkirki, but if Sfeir wants to talk politics, he will have to hear politics,” Franjieh said in a news conference at his residence in Bnashi.
“I am afraid the people defending Bkirki now are the same people who are undermining the Christian seat,” he added, referring to a number of politicians who lashed out at him for criticizing the prelate.
“Let them protest against me if they want. I will also organize counter-protests that reflect our views and opinions,” he said.
Christian leaders of the ruling coalition expressed solidarity with the patriarch late on Thursday and criticized the Franjieh”s attack against Sfeir.
Lebanese Forces boss Samir Geagea said that “the Maronite Church in Lebanon does not need anyone”s defense as it is capable of defending, containing and protecting everybody.”
“I tell those who believe Bkirki is defenseless that they are very wrong. There are still people ready to protect the Maronite seat,” Geagea said.
He added that his party was preparing for a mass gathering on Sunday in support of Sfeir, “but we decided to stop everything when we heard the patriarch say he is against any popular assembly for the time being.”
Sfeir on Thursday asked sympathizers not to visit him and said he wanted “to devote the next three days for prayers.”
In his news conference, Franjieh said that Sfeir attacked him and others on the personal level when he said Syria had tools and not allies in Lebanon.
“I could not but react to such a personal insult,” he said.
The Marada leader said Wednesday the prelate was a foreign stooge.
Franjieh stressed on Friday he was not calling the patriarch not to interfere in politics at all.
“I am only asking him not to attack us. If he wants to speak politics, he must do it properly,” he said “Anyway, I don”t encourage Sfeir to interfere in daily details. I do not want to create any problems and I am ready to put and end for all this on the condition that we are not attacked again by the patriarchate,” Franjieh added.