LF Holds onto March 14 but Supporters Criticize Mustaqbal

Lebanese Forces officials have stressed the party's strong membership in the March 14 alliance despite criticism that al-Mustaqbal Movement chief Saad Hariri is favoring the Kataeb Party.

“We cannot but to be at the helm of the supporters of March 14,” the officials, who were not identified, told An Nahar and al-Joumhouria newspapers published on Monday.

“If we want to build the Lebanese state, we cannot but become (part of) March 14,” they said.

The sources said that Hariri threw the ball in the court of the March 8 coalition after saying at the rally, which was held in BIEL on the 11th anniversary of former Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination, that March 14 is committed to ending the presidential vacuum.

“Despite its different approaches to the presidency, March 14 will continue to play the democratic game,” they told the dailies.

Hariri hasn't vetoed anyone, whether Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun, Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh, Aley lawmaker Henri Helou or any other candidate, the sources said.

They also stressed that the reconciliation with Aoun is “strong and ongoing.”

LF chief Samir Geagea withdrew from the presidential race last month and endorsed Aoun, who is a member of the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance, for the presidency.

Despite the differences with Hariri over the presidential deadlock, Geagea and his wife MP Sethrida attended the rally on Sunday.

The BIEL ceremony “gave back the March 14 alliance its spirit,” said the LF sources.

Despite their remarks, there has been criticism by LF supporters on Hariri's attitude towards Geagea.

They accused the Mustaqbal leader of intentionally standing between former President Amin Gemayel and his son Kataeb chief MP Sami Gemayel, while keeping Geagea next to Amin at the end of the ceremony.

Hariri sought to send a message to Geagea that his ties with the Kataeb are better off, they said.

G.K.

D.A.