Inter-Christian Reconciliation Moving a Step Forward
Christian-Christian reconciliation was at the forefront of Lebanese politics on Friday, a day after a Maronite League meeting and amid media reports of possible talks between Phalange leader Amin Gemayel and Marada chief Suleiman Franjieh.
Al-Liwaa newspaper said a meeting is likely to be held between Gemayel and Franjieh who would also most probably visit Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir in Diman.
However, a Marada source told al-Akhbar daily that the Marada-Bkirki relationship doesn”t need mediation. "We disagree with Patriarch Sfeir politically and we have the courage to announce the disagreement without insulting the patriarch."
At another inter-Christian front, Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra announced Thursday that a meeting could be held between Franjieh and LF chief Samir Geagea.
News of efforts to move the Christian-Christian reconciliation a step forward came as a Maronite League political committee meeting was held at the league”s headquarters in Beirut.
Representatives from the LF, Marada and Free Patriotic Movement attended the first talks in the aftermath of the June 7 polls headed by the league”s president Joseph Tarabay. The Phalange and National Liberal Party weren”t present at the meeting.
A statement said participants discussed all the issues that "serve dialogue and national unity."
"Positive and constructive atmosphere prevailed over the meeting," the statement added.
On the Christian-Druze front, well-informed sources told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat that contacts aimed at bringing together FPM leader Gen. Michel Aoun and MP Walid Jumblat stalled over disagreement on the possible meeting location.