Franjieh takes aim at Hariri, Jumblatt

Source: Nowlebanon.com, 4-8-2008
Head of the Marada Movement Suleiman Franjieh told New TV on Sunday that MP Saad Hariri considers the permanent settlement of Palestinians in Lebanon a priority in order to ensure a balance between the Sunni and the Shia, adding that Hariri did not bring up the issue because he did not want to frighten the Christians in Lebanon.
Franjieh reaffirmed his alliance with the Change and Reform bloc headed by MP Michel Aoun, who he said represents a Christian majority, adding that with the presence of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on the political scene, this will stay the case.
Franjieh also said that Democratic Gathering bloc leader MP Walid Jumblatt was under Youth and Sports Minister Talal Arslan's wing, adding that Jumblatt's position toward the Special Tribunal has improved.
"We should be patient and understand him because he will change his mind about Syria later on," Franjieh said of Jumblatt.
Franjieh also said that Jumblatt was trying to negotiate with Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, but it should be under the opposition's conditions.
He added that the Christian Gathering aimed to activate the Christians' role in Lebanese political and social life, and the committee would follow up its work. "We consider the Christians' representation in the cabinet a victory for all of us," he said.
Franjieh affirmed that Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir was the Lebanese Maronites' permanent confessional reference. He said he hopes to reach a reconciliation between Christians under the auspices of Lebanese President Michel Suleiman in Baabda.
Franjieh mentioned that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad considers MP Aoun ethical, especially after the Syrians' oppressions. But, he said, Aoun will not visit Syria soon because making this step needs to be well thought through.
He said that his relationship with President Suleiman is good and called on the latter to be more firm and decisive.