Former minister Suleiman Franjieh on Thursday defended his alliance with Syria saying it guarantees the protection of Lebanon and the Christians.
"We are with Syria and with this policy because it is insurance for Lebanon and guarantees protection for the Christians and the minorities. The Christians cannot afford to enter new adventures," the head of the Marada party told public delegations in Zgharta.
He recalled that more than 70 years ago his grandfather the late President Suleiman Franjieh "committed himself to maintaining friendly ties with Syria and Iran.
"This is the Arab nationalist choice. It is a choice to belong to the Arab surrounding and he never changed his policy. We inherited this approach and we never diverted from it," he said.
Franjieh said that Muslims can afford to form and end alliances freely because they "are able to defend themselves."
"But if we (the Christians) make the wrong bet, this will be at the expense of our entity and existence," he added.
On calls for him to change alliances, Franjieh said those who are "today speaking of sovereignty and independence shared our political views" during past elections.
"Some of those running in other lists (today) used to stand in line to be on our ticket. And when we used to refuse, they sought the mediation of Syrian officials," he added.
"He who is sovereign, free and independent will remain sovereign, free and independent regardless of the tutelages," Franjieh said.
"The guardianship can change from Syrian to Saudi or American or French. But at the end tutelage is tutelage and he who used to go to Anjar now goes to Awkar or visits the Saudi ambassador or the French consul," he added.