Franjieh: Geagea is a criminal and called on Bkirki to stop being a platform used by politicians

 Source: NowLebanon, 27-01-2008
Marada Movement leader former Minister Sleiman Franjieh reiterated the opposition's insistence on the ‘guaranteeing one-third' as a guarantee for national decisions and to prevent the internationalization of the situation in Lebanon.
Franjieh said that the option of resorting to the street is still. "This time it will be different from January 23, 2006."
On January 23, the opposition blocked roads and highways and violent clashes erupted with 'March (Feb.) 14' supporters.
Franjieh called on Bkirki to stop being a platform used by politicians to deliver statements. "This is undermining the position of Bkriki," he declared in front of a Marada delegation.
"Once this is done, we will be able to distinguish devoted Christians from those using it as a political platform," Franjieh said.
"We are seeking Lebanon's national interests," Franjieh declared. "If this requires a firm stance against Syria, we will take such stance, and if it requires friendly relations with Damascus, we are in favor of such relations."
Franjieh said that he respected the stance of the Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir against the "Syrian presence in Lebanon."
"We were not with this presence, but feared that Syrian influence would be substituted with another one," Franjieh declared.
"This is what has happened," he noted.
Franjieh accused Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea of handing over Lebanese to Israel. "Geagea is asking for the release of these people. He is a criminal," he said.
"Some people thought he had changed after his release from jail, but it seems he is still proud of his past," Faranjieh said.
He also blamed Geagea over the present inter-Christian tension and violence.