Gemayel Speech Fruit: Aoun will Form Complete Electoral List in Northern Metn

 
Source: Al-Manar TV, 27-11-2008
The "fiery" speech delivered by the head of the Phalange party former President Amin Gemayel on Sunday, in which he commemorated his son assassination's anniversary through assailing Resistance and political rivals, was still on Thursday the major topic of condemnations, even from his allies.
While political sources said that Gemayel sought to achieve electoral gains through his famous speech, his move backlashed.
Indeed, Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported on Thursday that the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun became convinced, following the speech, of the necessity of having a complete electoral list in the Northern Metn electoral district during the upcoming parliamentary elections, thus weakening the chances of Gemayel's son, Sami, in winning a seat.
In 2005 elections, Pierre Gemayel was the only one to win in the mentioned district from the March 14 forces thanks to Aoun who left him a empty place in the Change and Reform "then incomplete" list. Yet, some Phalange party officials praised during Sunday's "political festival" Gemayel's "victory" in the previous elections!!
Meanwhile, the head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt was reportedly displeased with Gemayel's speech. According to Lebanese daily Ad-Diyar, Jumblatt said that Gemayel went "too far in his extremism." He made it clear that Gemayel's speech was not convenient with the current stage marked by reconciliations and calm. "Gemayel shouldn't have tackled a provocative issue like diversity or the Resistance weapons after it has been agreed on to be discussed at the national dialogue roundtable," Jumblatt has reportedly said.
Hizbullah has also expressed concern about Gemayel's speech. On Wednesday, Hizbullah political council member Ghaleb Abu Zeinab told Al-Manar TV that it was very dangerous. He explained that Gemayel contradicted the constitution and the Taif Accord. "He calls for federalism and partition... Why this proposal right now? If it was for electoral gains, I think he is risking Lebanon," Abu Zeinab noted.
The Hizbullah official noted that Gemayel's rhetoric was unreasonable because it was against Lebanon as one country and called for cantons." He went on to say that Gemayel's suggestions were old, and the Lebanese have rejected them because division only leads to war and they are dangerous to Christians as well as all of the Lebanese.