Gemayel Says Confrontation Continues to Thwart Bargains at Country's Expense

Kataeb Party chief Sami Gemayel warned on Friday that the party will continue to confront any attempts to pass bargains that harm the interest of Lebanon and fail to benefit the Lebanese, LBCI reported.

Gemayel said that the ministers of the party kicked off a “1000 mile journey at the cabinet,” asserting that the confrontation that began yesterday during a government session will continue to confront anyone who suggests harmful projects in the country.

His comments came after he met with Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut Elias Audeh.

The Kataeb ministers walked out of a cabinet session on Thursday in protest at the government handling of the waste management file and the controversial file of the Janna dam project.

After that, Gemayel hinted in a press conference that his party's ministers might resign or suspend their participation in cabinet sessions should their presence in the government cease to “serve the interest of the Lebanese.”

Gemayel had expressed environmental concerns related to the controversial Janna dam project.

The cabinet is divided against itself between parties supporting the establishment of the dam and others rejecting it citing environmental fears.

The government also plans to set up seaside garbage landfills in the Costa Brava and Bourj Hammoud areas, which was rejected by Gemayel.

Accusing the political class of seeking personal gains he concluded: “If the majority of the political class adopts the principle of theft for personal gains, they should know that some people refuse this logic.”