Franjieh: Geagea Is Nobody

Source: Al Manar TV, 01-04-2008
The head of the Marada movement former minister Suleiman Franjieh expressed on Tuesday support to the head of the Free Patriotic Movement MP General Michel Aoun, saying the integration of the two groups was a source of strength to all Lebanese. He accused the ruling bloc of rejecting freedom, sovereignty and independence, stating that the whole conflict was because General Aoun didn't help them in their plans against Syria. "If Abdel Halim Khaddam (former Syrian VP) were the Syrian President today, they would have asked for union with Syria, they would have even welcomed Syrian forces in Lebanon for a thousand more years."
Speaking in a meeting with a delegation representing the FPM, Franjieh said that he believes in the understanding memorandum between Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement. "If they really love Lebanon, they would have consolidated this alliance," he said, stressing that national internal dialogue would, if held, have resulted in many achievements.
"We are present, we have our place on the political scene, we own 45 % of the Parliament seats whether they like it or no; real participation is therefore our right," Franjieh said. He recalled that Lebanon was known for its democracy founded on consensus democracy not numeral democracy. The Marada chief stressed the importance to reach a fair electoral law that would satisfy everyone "otherwise parliamentary elections won't be held, and even if they took place, the results will be questioned and the crisis will continue for another four years," he said.
According to Franjieh, the solution of the crisis is linked in one sense or another to the Arab situation in general. He warned those who are "happy" for what they call the "Arab Summit failure" saying that they are unaware of the situation that will develop in Lebanon should Arab difference persist.
For Franjieh, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea does not exist. "Personally, Geagea doesn't mean anything to me. He's nobody," Franjieh stressed. "If eleven years in prison weren't enough to polish him, then I'm afraid I won't be able to do that," he said.