Kataeb Slams Daher's 'Extremist' Remarks, Urges 'Full Isolation of Such Behavior'
The Kataeb Party announced Tuesday that it “categorically rejects” remarks voiced Sunday by al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Khaled al-Daher, which were deemed insulting to Christian symbols.
“We categorically reject these extremist and irresponsible remarks that harm coexistence,” the party said in a statement issued after the weekly meeting of its political bureau.
On Sunday, Daher spearheaded an angry Islamist protest in Tripoli's al-Nour Square to condemn the removal of Islamic flags from the roundabout. The banners were taken down by police as part of a campaign aimed at removing the flags and banners of all political parties from the streets of Beirut, Sidon and Tripoli.
“If they want to remove religious symbols, let them start in Beirut. Let them start with the Christ the King Statue (in Keserwan). Let them start with the pictures of some saints 'who are opening their arms wide' in Jounieh,” Daher said.
However, the lawmaker announced later that he is willing to apologize, noting that his words were “taken out of context” and that he respects “all religions and all Lebanese from all sects.”
But Kataeb blasted Daher over the statements, describing them as “cheap remarks seeking ephemeral popularity” and warning that they will “inflame sectarian sentiments in the country.”
The party rejects “all suspicious calls that harm national unity, political stability and security,” Kataeb said, stressing that it will not be “lenient regarding anything that might harm the freedom of belief and the practice of religious rituals.”
The party also said it “expects full Lebanese isolation of such a fanatical and low behavior.”
Separately, Kataeb called for “continuing efforts aimed at regulating the security situation in the country through consolidating and immunizing the Tripoli plan and kicking off the security plan devised for the northern Bekaa region.”
It also called on political parties to rise above “political calculations” and head to parliament to elect a “representative and capable” president and end several months of presidential void.
The country's top Christian post has been vacant since the end of Michel Suleiman's term on May 25, 2014. Political disputes and electoral rivalry have prevented lawmakers from electing a successor although 18 voting sessions have been held to date.
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