Geagea Says LF-Phalange Deal Almost Complete, Tashnaq in Picture
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Friday his party and the Phalange have "made great progress" in deliberations over the upcoming elections adding there were only some "lose ends" left to finalize.
Speaking to reporters, Geagea called on the rest of March 14 Forces to "follow our footsteps in order to reach an agreement, in the near future, on joint electoral tickets across Lebanon." Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place on June 7.
Asked whether the LF-Phalange ticket will be closed off to other groups, he said: "I do not know. This issue is currently under debate. It is still too early to reach a decision." Geagea confirmed reports of contacts with the Armenian Tashnag Party. He did not elaborate.
He denied reports of disagreement between Phalange leader Amin Gemayel and MP Michel Murr on their joint ticket in the Metn district.
Murr and Gemayel sealed their alliance for the elections earlier this month. Geagea said the two leaders are trying to finalize the northern Metn list.
The LF leader also slammed criticism by March 8 politicians of Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. Sfeir drew protest from the minority earlier this month when he warned against "historic mistakes" if the March 8 Forces win the majority of seats in the elections.
"All those who criticize the patriarchy and the church”s authority without regard to the rules of decorum and propriety will be excommunicated," Geagea warned.