Mekhitarian says Kataeb-Tashnaq understanding unlikely

Source: nowlebanon, 23-03-2009

In an interview with As-Safir daily on Monday, Tashnaq Party leader Hovig Mekhitarian said his last meeting with Kataeb Central Committee Coordinator Sami Gemayel reached no results concerning the upcoming parliamentary elections, adding that it was unlikely to reach an understanding with the Kataeb party amid the current political and electoral circumstances.

Mekhitarian said Kataeb's proposal to Tashnaq did not yield any serious results and "with all due respect to Sami Gemayel, an understanding with the Kataeb party needs discussions with higher-level [party members]... Our doors are open to welcome him if he wants to visit us," Mekhitarian said, a reference to Kataeb leader and former President Amin Gemayel.

Mekhitarian also said his party was waiting for Future Movement leader MP Saad Hariri to return to Lebanon to inform him of Tashnaq's decision, noting that the party would explain its response to Hariri's offer, whether positive or negative, to the people.

The Tashnaq leader said his party considered the political and electoral positions equally important in any discussion with others. "We are a party known for refusing electoral deals and its commitment to its loyalties and principles," he said.

Mekhitarian reiterated that Tashnaq would ally with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun and with MP Michel al-Murr alone, as long as there was no Armenian candidate on the March 14 list or any centrist candidate cooperating with March 14.

Mekhitarian said his party wanted an uncontested election for its candidate, but if Murr took part in an opposing approach, it would mean "electoral annulment" with him.