Amin Gemayel Says Geagea's Nomination of Aoun May Have Destroyed 'March 14 Institution'
Former Kataeb Party chief and ex-Lebanese president Amin Gemayel on Wednesday slammed Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea's decision to nominate Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun for the presidency as a mere “reaction” that might have “destroyed March 14 as an institution.”
“The Maarab meeting was a reaction to (al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad) Hariri's nomination of (Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman) Franjieh, who is Geagea's neighbor in Bsharri, and we hope it wasn't a mere reaction,” said Gemayel in an interview with Al-Jazeera television.
“We're afraid that Geagea's initiative might have destroyed March 14 as an institution,” he added.
Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of successor and Hariri launched late in 2015 a proposal to nominate Franjieh as president.
Geagea, Hariri's ally in the March 14 camp, was a presidential candidate at the time and some observers have said that the LF leader has recently nominated Aoun for the presidency as a “reaction” to Hariri's proposal, a claim Geagea has denied.
“The nominations of Franjieh and Aoun are both positive initiatives and we are not taking them lightly but the Lebanese situation cannot withstand unilateral decisions or confrontational nominations,” Gemayel stressed, echoing his party's reservations on the two men's nominations.
“We would support any candidate who enjoys unanimous support but both Aoun and Franjieh have not secured unanimity in order for us to support any of them,” he added.
Gemayel lamented that Aoun and Franjieh “could have proposed their nominations through an understanding with all leaders,” emphasizing that “no single party can impose their nominee on others.”
“We would elect the candidate who can convince us with a platform aimed at protecting the country's sovereignty. During this difficult period and the threats that are surrounding us, it is necessary for the Lebanese to agree on a consensual president who can unify the Lebanese over a national project and who can offer reassurances,” he went on to say.
Moreover, Gemayel blasted the Aoun-Geagea agreement as “a confrontational move against some components” of the Lebanese society.
“This poses a major threat to Lebanon and its Christians,” Gemayel warned.
“An inter-Christian agreement is important but all agreements must be in harmony with all parties in the framework of comprehensive national cooperation and understanding,” he explained.
Y.R.
