Sami Gemayel Rejects 'Lebanese's Right to Resist' Formula in Policy Statement

Phalange Party Central Committee Coordinator MP Sami Gemayel criticized on Thursday reports saying the ministerial policy statement will include a clause on “Lebanese people's right to resist.”

"There is no consensus over the resistance. Who is going to resist?” Gemayel asked after holding talks with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh.

"Does this mean we are going to live in a jungle where everyone gets arms licenses?” he added.

The Phalange MP also told reporters that Hizbullah is the only party that has reservations over mentioning the Baabda Declaration in the policy statement.

"We discussed with Berri the crisis in the country and we are thinking of structural solutions to problems in Lebanon.”

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour announced on Wednesday that the ministerial panel tasked with drafting a policy statement has reached a “satisfactory formula” regarding mentioning the Baabda Declaration in the draft.

The minister explained that the formula respects all parties' stances.

MTV revealed that Abou Faour's formula mentions commitment to the resolutions of the national dialogue sessions that were held at the parliament and in Baabda.

The same source also said Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil suggested mentioning the Lebanese's right to resist against Israel in the statement, but added that the March 14 camp insisted on writing “Lebanon's rights to resist' instead to underscore the role of the state.”