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Kataeb Urges 'Domestic Dialogue' on President, Calls for 'Lebanonizing' Election

The Kataeb Party on Monday stressed the importance of dialogue as a way to end the protracting presidential crisis, calling for “Lebanonizing” the stalled vote.

“We reiterate the firm stance on the priority of domestic dialogue that can lead to effective solutions to the current crises, topped by the presidential void,” the party said in a statement issued after the weekly meeting of its political bureau.

Kataeb warned against coping with the presidential vacuum, urging the political forces to “overcome the presidential deadlock and exert efforts to respond to the international initiatives towards Lebanon.”

The party underlined the need to “Lebanonize the juncture through creating a friendly environment for the election of a president,” noting that “it is unacceptable and incomprehensible that this juncture has become a foreign demand instead of a local duty.”

The presidential seat has been vacant since president Michel Suleiman's term ended on May 25. Political differences and electoral wrangling led to a lack of quorum during 16 electoral sessions in parliament.

Kataeb chief Amin Gemayel is among the main presidential hopefuls, along with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun.

Turning to the issue of Gemayel's weekend visit to southern Lebanon, Kataeb's politburo said the tour was “an additional evidence on Kataeb's openness and reach across the country, which is not restricted by any geographical or sectarian boundaries.”

As for the issue of the captive Lebanese troops and policemen, the party reiterated its call for exerting all possible efforts to secure their release “through the legitimate means, including negotiations.”

Expressing its “trust” in the ministerial crisis cell, Kataeb also called for “limiting the negotiations to a single authority that would be liable before the crisis cell and the cabinet.”

The servicemen were captured when jihadists from al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State briefly overran the northeastern border town of Arsal in August, sparking fierce battles with Lebanese troops.

Four hostages have been executed so far, and the jihadists have threatened to kill the remaining captives unless there is a deal to free Islamist prisoners in Lebanon.

Y.R.


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