Franjieh Visits Aoun: Meeting with Sfeir Possible When Circumstances Mature

Source: Al-Manar TV, 11-11-2008
While the chances of Christian reconciliation seemed to collapse amid skepticism that Christian leaders were actually committed to the reconciliation path or not, the potential meeting between the head of the Marada movement former Minister Suleiman Franjieh and Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir appeared to be possible, but when circumstances mature.
"We want the church to be for all Christians. In such case we would be honored to be on Bkirki's side," Franjieh said Tuesday following a visit he made to his political ally, the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun.
Franjieh, who criticized the intra-Christian reconciliation for having "election aims," confirmed that a delegation from the Marada movement met with Patriarch Sfeir, describing the meeting as positive. He said that his visit to Bkirki would take place "when the proper circumstances are available."
Earlier, pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat said that Franjieh would visit Sfeir in Bkirki after the conclusion of meetings by The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon. The daily quoted Maronite League sources as saying that a meeting was held between Sfeir and a joint League-Marada delegation away from media glare to set the stage for Franjieh's visit to Bkirki after the conclusion of several conferences at the Maronite Church's seat.
The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon held its 42nd session in Bkirki on Monday under the auspices of Sfeir. The council is expected to conclude its meetings on Saturday when it will issue a statement on the issues being discussed and the decisions made.
Meanwhile, Franjieh stressed that he was not enthusiastic about the National Dialogue conference. "I don't seek joining it," he said when asked about the opposition's demand to expand the dialogue table, pointing out that Maronites consider themselves represented through General Aoun. However Franjieh said he supports calls for adding ex-Premier Omar Karami, cabinet minister Talal Arslan and MP Ousama Saad to the participants in the national dialogue.
The former minister also noted that MP Aoun would visit Syria and bring with him a "final answer" from the Syrian authorities regarding the Lebanese citizens missing in Syria. He said that Aoun, unlike others, would visit and return from Syria with the same beliefs. Syrian President Bashar Assad "excels dealing with men like himself," Franjieh added.