Franjieh: Bkirki Meeting Won’t Achieve Reconciliation, Which Needs Roadmap

Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh on Monday said a meeting between Lebanon’s top Christian leaders scheduled for Tuesday was not aimed at achieving reconciliation among the rival political players.

The meeting, which will be held at the seat of the Maronite church in Bkirki under the auspices of newly-elected patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, will gather Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun and Franjieh.

“Many meetings have gathered us -- the four leaders -- so far and I don’t know the difference between a meeting gathering 100 people and another gathering four leaders,” Franjieh said in an interview on Lebanon’s MTV.

“A reconciliation requires a roadmap and the discussion of several topics, that’s why we must turn our disagreement into a democratic one,” he noted.

Franjieh said Patriarch al-Rahi “made a mistake when he raised the issue of (caretaker Interior Minister Ziad) Baroud’s reappointment, because he is taking sides in this case.”

Al-Rahi “must make fewer media appearances,” Franjieh recommended.

Addressing the situation in unrest-hit Syria, the Marada leader said many political parties were “betting on the fall of the Syrian regime and consequently our political approach.”

“But I’m counting on Syria under (President Bashar) Assad’s leadership, the Resistance and this political approach,” Franjieh stressed.

As to the issue of the cabinet formation process, he said “they are insisting on the interior portfolio in order to keep (Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen.) Ashraf Rifi and (head of ISF’s Intelligence Bureau Col.) Wissam al-Hasan in office.”

Franjieh also noted that Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati was facing “so many pressures,” noting that the new premier “is keen on the interests of the Sunnis” in the country.