MP Ashraf Rifi, member of the Renewal Bloc, visited the leader of the Kataeb Party MP Samy Gemayel at the party’s headquarters in Saifi.
After the meeting, Gemayel emphasized that “we must stand together during this period, as this is a historic moment, and I call on the Free Patriotic Movement to go back to the sovereign principles raised during the March 14th Revolution, this is what will save our country.”
Addressing all deputies, Gemayel said: “To each one of you who will elect Hezbollah’s candidate (Sleiman Frangieh) or will secure the quorum at the presidential session I say, you are not electing a president, but instead, you are electing Hezbollah’s dominance over Lebanon for an additional 6 years and you will bear this responsibility before the people.”
The Kataeb MP asserted that “the silence of the government regarding Hezbollah’s maneuvers is proof that it is under the authority of its weapons which means that the presidential battle is about to intensify.”
Gemayel said: “These maneuvers are a challenge to the principle of the state and a confirmation that the Hezb is not open to discussion, not in terms of defense strategy nor anything else,” adding that “the message was received.”
For his part, Rifi said “we are in a historic and national moment, and we are united as Muslims and Christians to ensure a front opposing the other project.”
He assured that “we will say no to Hezbollah, whatever it takes.” MP Rifi accused Hezbollah of what happened at the beach in Sidon: “The incident on the beach of Sidon is suspicious and I accuse Hezbollah of this movement.”
Rifi concluded that “the military display by Hezbollah is a message to the Lebanese internally, but we will never waver nor fear their weapons, and Lebanon is a pluralistic country.”
