Gemayel Urges Officials to Disassociate Lebanon from Syrian Crisis

Phalange Party leader Amine Gemayel expressed fear on Monday that the Syrian turmoil might spill into Lebanon over the sharp differences between parties on their stances from the regime.

“Lebanon should disassociate itself from the developments in Syria,” he told reporters.

He noted that the common interests between the Lebanese foes led them to agree on maintaining stability locally as Hizbullah has no interest in escalating the situation nor do the opposing parties.

Concerning the situation in Syria, Gemayel stated that no one can predict how things will turn out as long as the Syrian regime continues its crackdown and the revolt persists.

“We have to convince the current Syria regime or any other regime that might come to power that Lebanon isn’t willing to interfere in Syrian affairs so that it doesn’t interfere in ours,” Gemayel said.

Lebanese parties are sharply divided over the crisis in Syria as the March 8 forces continuously expressed their support to Syrian president Bashar Assad, while the March 14 camp has voiced its support for the popular revolt.