Gemayel Slams Iran's Role, Says Aoun's 'Illogical' Presidential Stance Should Change

Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel blamed Iran on the spread of crises in the region and criticized Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun over his “illogical” stance from the presidential deadlock.

“The (region's) crises began since Iran started to spread its influence in Iraq, Syria and in Lebanon through Hizbullah,” Gemayel told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in an interview published on Wednesday.

“But for sure the Islamic State group is not an innocent phenomenon,” said the former president.

Gemayel described the repercussions of Syria's civil war on Lebanon as “destructive.”

“Lebanon does not embrace takfiri extremist movements … so the effect (of the Syrian war) has not been huge on the Lebanese social fabric,” he said.

In the interview, Gemayel praised Saudi Arabia as a “loyal friend” of Lebanon.

He said Riyadh's support has helped the country confront its ordeals.

Saudi Arabia and France signed an agreement in November last year for Paris to provide the Lebanese military with $3 billion worth of weapons paid for by Riyadh.

The first shipment of French weapons is expected to arrive next month.

In August 2014, Saudi Arabia pledged a further $1 billion to help the Lebanese army confront the escalating violence linked to the Syrian conflict.

Gemayel said Riyadh's assistance would help the army make a “leap forward.”

Asked about the presidential crisis, Gemayel denied that inter-Maronite differences have weakened the country's top Christian post.

“I don't agree with some politicians who blame Christians” for the deadlock, he said.

“Since Lebanon's independence there has been a conflict among Maronites,” Gemayel said. “Today, we are facing the same situation with the March 8 and 14 alliances.”

“Hadn't Hizbullah backed Aoun, he wouldn't have been able to cause lack of quorum,” he added.

Baabda Palace has been vacant since President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May last year.

Aoun's Change and Reform bloc, Hizbullah and other MPs from the March 8 coalition have been boycotting the parliamentary sessions aimed at electing a new president.

“Aoun and Hizbullah have mutual interests,” he said. “So the paralysis of the presidential polls is not a Christian responsibility. It is a political situation that was caused by all confesssions.”

Asked how the deadlock should be resolved, Gemayel told the newspaper that “Aoun should be persuaded that his stance is illogical.”

He advised the FPM chief to place the interest of the nation and its constitutional institutions before any other interest.

G.K.

H.K.