Franjieh upbeat over regional thaw, says refugee return would be priority

Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh held talks Tuesday in Bkirki with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.

“What we’re seeing in the media is baseless and distorted, seeing as settlements have started in the region, rivals will reconcile, the game has changed and this matter will reflect on Lebanon,” Franjieh said after the meeting.

“We are ready for dialogue with anyone who has concerns and I don’t have any embarrassment toward anyone,” he added.

Noting that he would not “give up 1% of the president’s powers” should he be elected, Franjieh reassured that he would practice his powers “responsibly and not through political malice.”

“My aim is not power but rather to be a president who would leave his mark and I have not heard of a Saudi veto from the kingdom or from its friends,” the Marada chief added.

“We have never had any hostile stance toward any Arab state, especially Saudi Arabia, and we hope Arabs will reconcile with each other and that such consensus in the region will reflect on Lebanon. We were born in an Arabist house and we only wish well for the kingdom,” Franjieh said.

As for his recent visit to France, Franjieh said it involved “simple questions about backing reforms,” noting that he would support any reformist government.

“It is normal that we would carry out the reforms and we support an agreement with the International Monetary Fund,” the Marada chief added.

As for Hezbollah’s controversial arsenal of weapons, Franjieh said “the solution lies in a dialogue over a defense strategy and should I become president I will sponsor such a dialogue.”

Franjieh also noted that “the issue of Syrian refugees will be among the priorities of any upcoming presidential tenure,” vowing to employ his good “personal relation” with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to “serve the country’s interest.”