Gemayel Hails Dialogue between Rivals, Reiterates Calls for Election of President

Kataeb Party chief Amin Gemayel expressed relief on Saturday over the wave of dialogue between the Lebanese arch-foes, stressing the importance of electing a new head of state after the country “entered the red zone.”

“Our interest is to retain the Lebanese sovereignty, in particular the decision of war and peace, in addition to the swift election of a new head of state,” Gemayel said in an interview to al-Akhbar newspaper.

He called on the rival parties to avert danger and threats after the country entered the “red zone,” which impacts the state and its entity.

Melhem Riachi, chairman of the Lebanese Forces communication department, and MP Ibrahim Kanaan from Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun's Change and Reform bloc are holding meetings away from the media spotlight to prepare the agenda for the dialogue between the FPM chief and LF chief Samir Geagea.

The Christian leader considered that dialogue, especially between Shiites and Sunnis, defuses tension.

In their third dialogue session, al-Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah announced about “clear progress” in talks between them, and that it may lead to “results that help consolidate the nation stability.”

The first dialogue session between al-Mustaqbal and Hizbullah was held in Ain al-Tineh on December 23 under the auspices of Speaker Nabih Berri, and the second session was held on Jan. 5 with the objective of “terminating Sunni-Shiite tensions.”

Asked about the presidential elections, Gemayel said that his only concern is to provide the necessary quorum to elect a new head of state.

He accused lawmakers of failing to assume their responsibilities, refusing to point finger at the international community for the presidential stalemate.

“The absence of MPs from presidential elections sessions is a shame,” he stressed.

Both Aoun and Geagea have announced their candidacies for the presidency. Their differences, in addition to the rivalry between the March 8 and 14 alliances, have left the presidential post vacant.

President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May.

Gemayel told his interviewer that previous initiatives to end the rift between the rival parties went down the drain, lashing out at those who are impeding the constitution.

The Kataeb chief also lauded the cabinet of Prime Minister Tammam Salam, saying: “The achievements of this government are far better than what its predecessors accomplished.”

However, he reiterated that the “situation remains abnormal and the cabinet shouldn't replace the president.”

The cabinet assumes the executive tasks of the president as stated by the constitution until a new head of state is elected.

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