Franjieh speaks of 'new page' as Nasrallah urges 'calm' with Bassil

Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh has noted that his meeting with Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil at an iftar banquet hosted by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah “came within its natural course and regardless of any electoral alliance.”

“We wanted it to be public, because we endorse transparency and clarity with you. We talked about opening a new page and the possibility of holding coordinative meetings,” Franjieh told supporters.

Responding to a question, the Marada chief said he would also have accepted to meet with Bassil had the invitation come from President Michel Aoun or Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.

“There is no alternative to dialogue and to unifying efforts in a stage that is critical and sensitive internationally, regionally and domestically,” Franjieh added.

Senior sources informed on the talks meanwhile told al-Liwaa newspaper, in remarks published Monday, that Nasrallah spoke of “the country’s circumstances and the uncomfortable situation of Hizbullah’s Christian allies, as well as what’s needed for the coming period.”

“He tackled upcoming important, dangerous and critical junctures, first of which is running in the parliamentary elections in the Christian arena with full accord and calm competition, in order to face the subsequent junctures with a unified stance – from the election of a parliament speaker to the formation of a new government to the election of a President,” the sources added.

“This requires facing these junctures with unified ranks, especially among Hizbullah’s Christian allies, and Franjieh and Bassil agreed with Nasrallah on his approach as each of them explained his viewpoint,” the sources said.

“The discussions resulted in an agreement between the two allies on halting campaigns against each other and launching direct communication channels, whether over the phone or through periodic meetings. The leaderships of the parties will also engage in coordination,” the sources went on to say, adding that Bassil and Franjieh “thanked Nasrallah for organizing the reconciliation.”

The sources also revealed that the parties of Bassil and Franjieh would “coordinate and cooperate where possible in certain electoral districts.”

“After the elections, each juncture would be tackled separately according to topics and circumstances,” the sources said.