Naharnet

Gemayel: Christians are Facing Dangerous Situation in Syria, Region

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel warned on Friday against what he described as “a dangerous reality” facing the Christians in Syria and the region, and called on the international community to stop the bloodshed and stop oppression against the Christians, the state-run National News Agency quoted him as saying from Rome.

“I call on the international community to stop the bloodshed, protect emerging democracies, and halt the aggression against the Christians,” said Gemayel.

On the fate of the Syrian regime, Gemayel stated: “Dictatorships will eventually fall, but we hope the suffering in Syria ends as it is causing a humanitarian disaster.”

Commenting on the future of the Lebanese-Syrian relations, the former president assured: “Relations will automatically go back to normal, like any one between two Arab sovereign states. There is no turning back now after the exchange of diplomatic missions and Lebanon's refusal to accept any kind of tutelage.”

“But relations can't settle down unless a democratic regime that respects international relations is established in Syria,” he added.

Gemayel is in Rome to holds talks with Italian officials on the situation in Lebanon in light of the turmoil in Syria and the thorny issue of the Syrian refugees burdening Lebanon's security, economic and social capabilities.

Since the Syrian uprising erupted in March 2011, there have been numerous deadly clashes along the northern and eastern borders of Lebanon, usually between the Syrian army and armed Syrian or Lebanese groups backing the uprising.

There have also been clashes between armed groups and the Lebanese army seeking to prevent the infiltration of fighters into Lebanon.

Moreover, more than 453,000 Syrian refugees fled the crackdown in their country to Lebanon, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in its weekly report on Thursday.


Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/82563