Reconciliation with the LF Can”t be Imminent
Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh has decided to boycott Free Patriotic Movement meetings, but would maintain contact with MP Michel Aoun.
Pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat said Franjieh has expressed caution over the FPM meeting management "which is mostly limited to MP Michel Aoun”s intervention."
It said Franjieh was the first to warn his ally, Aoun, to back down on his demand for Bassil”s appointment in the next government given that he lost parliamentary elections.
Reconciliation with the LF Can”t be Imminent
Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh said Friday that he agreed with a visiting Maronite League delegation to reassure the Christians and stressed that reconciliation with the Lebanese Forces can”t be imminent.
"We agreed with the League Council headed by Joseph Tarabay to work on reassuring the Christians and … keeping Christians in an optimistic atmosphere," Franjieh said.
The MP told reporters that the Christians are tired from disagreements. "That”s why the most important thing is to reassure the people and keep the doors of hope open."
A tense situation only leads to disagreements while openness leads to positive results, according to the Marada leader.
Asked if the Marada-Lebanese Forces reconciliation was on the right track, Franjieh said: "I reiterate what (LF leader Samir) Geagea has said that this is the beginning of a path which God willing would lead to reconciliation. But reconciliation can”t be imminent."
Tarabay, in his turn, lauded the weekend meeting between Franjieh and Phalange leader Amin Gemayel, saying the talks "set up a foundation for new communication between all Lebanese, in particular Maronite, leaderships."
About reports on Marada-LF reconciliation, Tarabay said: "We”ve made a million steps forward … the meeting could be held but we don”t care when it would be held as long as work is ongoing on putting the foundations for strategic issues."
He also said he didn”t believe there was a problem between Bnashii and Diman.