Naharnet

Sami Gemayel Calls for 'National Gathering to Establish New Lebanon' after Election of President

Head of the Kataeb Party MP Sami Gemayel proposed on Sunday that Lebanon's constitutional system be reexamined following “90 years of a structure that has only deepened sectarianism and divisions among the Lebanese.”

He called for holding a “national gathering to establish a new Lebanon” after the election of a new president.

He made his suggestion before a popular meet at Beirut's Saifi area on the occasion of the election of a new Kataeb leadership.

“Should we experience similar unrest in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Sudan before we finally change the system?” he wondered before the crowd.

“It is time to acknowledge that the current constitutional structure we have been governed by for 90 years has only deepened sectarianism and created divisions among the people,” the lawmaker declared to applause.

“It is time to open a new chapter in Lebanon. It is time to elect a president and stop forcing the Lebanese to live in degrading conditions,” he demanded.

“Such a gathering should be held in Beirut, not abroad, because we should decide our own fate,” he added.

“We should decide whether we want a state or not and whether we want a civilized state or not,” said the MP.

“We must establish a new democratic state where all people are under the law and where they have the power of war and peace,” Gemayel stated

“A state, democracy, and the rule of law are the main components of the new Lebanon,” he continued.

“Let us build the Lebanon we want,” demanded Gemayel.

“We will not allow anyone to impose change on us by force,” he stressed.

Furthermore, he stressed the need to keep Lebanon neutral from regional disputes.

“We are fed up of being dragged towards regional conflicts every four or five years,” he said.

“It is time that the Lebanese people finally live in peace,” he declared.


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