Adwan Calls for Reconciliation and Dialogue
Reconciliation between the Lebanese Forces and the Marada movement should overcome disagreements and highlight the importance of preventing political differences from erupting into violence, said the Deputy Head of the Lebanese Forces Executive Council George Adwan.
Adwan told NBN television on Wednesday night that the clashes last month in Bsarma that left one Lebanese Forces and one Marada member dead were “so painful” and urged the Christians to try to forge reconciliation as soon as possible.
He added that the issue whether or not the Head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Michel Aoun, would attend the anticipated reconciliation was no longer an issue of debate. MP Aoun has now announced that he welcomes the reconciliation.
He confirmed that the meeting will be in Baabda and will be accompanied by discussions with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir.
He expressed hope that voting in next year’s parliamentary elections would be based on the candidates’ political projects, offered assurances that the March 14 will be united during the elections and said that he will run for candidacy in the Chouf.
He said that Hezbollah could be integrated within the state to reduce the pressures.
He added that US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale visited Lebanon to raise the issue of arming the Lebanese army, and called for making more efforts to support the army.
He said that he was not concerned about the Syrian deployment along the northern borders because Syria has previously informed the Lebanese authorities about this procedure. The deployment, he said, was preventing the “smuggling of terrorists”, adding that it was impossible that Syria’s troops would return to Lebanon.
He concluded that Syria was trying to be open toward the international community and this issue “did not bother the Lebanese Forces.”