Gemayel Praises Murr and Defends Maronite Patriarch
Phalange leader Amin Gemayel and MP Michel el-Murr are set to hold a meeting within the coming days, sources close to both parties said to the daily al-Nahar.
The meeting is to discuss the possibility of an electoral coalition between them at the Matn region.
Gemayel commented on the recent statements made by Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir when he voiced his fear about some attempts to remove President Michel Suleiman and warned of "historic mistakes" if March 8 Forces come to power.
"If power shifts to March 8 Forces and March 14 Forces ceased to have power, mistakes would be committed that would weigh historically on the national fate," Sfeir said in an interview with the weekly al-Massira magazine.
Gemayel expressed to al-Nahar on Sunday: "Patriarch Sfeir does not practice politics in the narrow sense. The Cedar Revolution was launched based on an understanding of sovereignty, at which time General Aoun was a supporter from 2000 up to 2005."
"The patriarch was expressing fears shared by many Lebanese concerning Lebanon and its future," Gemayel said.
Regarding his expected meeting with Murr, Gemayel said that his hand is stretched to any party that shares our view of the country and is in solidarity with the Cedar revolution saying, "this is the natural framework to all that reach us."
"Many Lebanese like to maintain their independence away from political parties and this is their right. However, as long as they maintain and share the same principles we do we would keep our hand open to them. This is democracy and the political electoral game that gathers the largest number of citizens together for a common goal," Gemayel said.
He paid tribute to defense Minister Elias Murr, who maintained his steadfast in solidarity with the Cedar revolution when March 8 Forces held a sit in around the Grand Serail.