Marada”s Franjieh Urges Christians to Vote for Armed Hizbullah
Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh said resistance weapons are the main challenge during the forthcoming parliamentary elections and claimed that the Christians back armed Hizbullah.
"The Christian majority believes that resistance weapons are … aimed against Israel. We support the resistance weapons until just and comprehensive peace is achieved and until Palestinians enjoy their right to return," Franjieh said.
Franjieh accused Saudi Arabia of pumping money into Lebanon to finance the majority”s election campaign.
He also criticized Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel for hosting the Saudi Ambassador Abdul Aziz Khoja and seating him in the front row during a party festival, saying "It is either that he (Gemayel) has adopted Wahabism or for some other reason."
"I accuse Saudi Arabia of financing the other side … this is not secret," Franjieh said in remarks published on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia, according to Franjieh, is "interested in weakening the Christians through pumping in money to some Christians who represent no body to buy Christian votes … in favor of the Hariri clan."
He predicted assassinations targeting March 14 or March 8 politicians.
"I am worried about an assassination attempt similar to the killing of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri … to Alter the balance of powers in a certain direction," Franjieh said.
Efforts to achieve intra-Christian reconciliation would only be activated after the 2009 elections, Franjieh stressed.