Bassil Calls for True Partnership amid Kataeb Criticism
Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil held talks with Kataeb Party leader MP Sami Gemayel on Wednesday as part of his meetings with the country's different factions to garner support for the candidacy of his father-in-law Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun for the presidency.
After meeting with Gemayel at Kataeb's headquarters in Beirut's Saifi district, Bassil hoped there would be “real partnership” among the Lebanese factions following Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea's endorsement of Aoun's candidacy on Monday.
But Gemayel did not promise Bassil, who leads the FPM, that the Kataeb MPs would vote for Aoun.
“We will study our decision today and announce our stance later,” said the young lawmaker.
Economy Minister Alain Hakim, who attended the talks between Bassil and Gemayel, criticized Geagea's support for Aoun.
“We talked with Bassil about the rapprochement among Christians. He did not ask us to head to parliament to elect a president,” he said.
“But we neither saw standards nor a basis in Geagea's endorsement for Aoun,” Hakim added.
Later on Wednesday, Bassil held talks with Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan to address Monday's meeting.
“Bolstering national unity lies in having strong representatives of sects,” stated the minister.
“Those banking on differences emerging with our allies will be disappointed,” he added.
For his part, Arslan said: “As a political alliance, we positively approach any rapprochement.”
“Aoun is a central figure in our political policy and in the country, as is Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh,” he remarked.
Bassil visited on Tuesday Speaker Nabih Berri and former Minister Faisal Karami.
He is expected to head to Bnashii later Wednesday for talks with Franjieh.
Franjieh's candidacy is endorsed by al-Mustaqbal Movement chief ex-PM Saad Hariri.
G.K.
M.T.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/199856 |