Franjieh, Gemayel Hold Talks in Bikfaya, Stress on Preventing the Spillover of Syria's War

Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh met on Wednesday with Phalange Party MP Sami Gemayel over lunch in the latter's residence in the Metn's Bikfaya town and both men stressed on the need to neutralize Lebanon from the Syrian crisis.

"The talks stressed on the necessity to neutralize Lebanon from Syria's war, regardless of the Lebanese factions' stances towards the neighboring country's conflict,” a statement released by Gemayel's office revealed.

"Both men also discussed the importance of keeping communication going on the electoral law, as the parliamentary elections are key to avoid a constitutional vacuum in the country.”

“Our stance towards the Syrian conflict differ from Franjieh's, but we both agree that this cannot be negatively reflected on the Lebanese situation," Gemayel stated after the meeting.

"Lebanese people do not need more problems and crises,” he expressed.

“We stress on the need to send the army to control the Lebanese-Syrian border,” he pointed out. “If this was not realized, the repercussions of the Syrian conflict will spill over to Lebanon.”

Gemayel assured: “This is our main concern. We must realize the importance of avoiding dragging Lebanon into more problems and crises.”

Tackling Lebanese matters, Gemayel said: "No one can eliminate the others in Lebanon. The elimination period is over. It is about time we find common grounds through communication and mutual respect to rescue Lebanon in this critical period.”

Meanwhile, Franjieh expressed after the meeting that the visit is “to a friend whom we have been introduced to and loved several years ago despite our political differences.”

"The openness of the Lebanese and their readiness to hold talks is what neutralizes Lebanon at this stage.”

The northern leader said no consensus between political factions has been reached over the electoral law: “Each party wants a law that suits its interests and so far no accord was reached over a suggestion that satisfies everyone.”

"We cannot have two laws within one law,” he said commenting on the hybrid proposal.

A hybrid law combines both proportional representation and winner-takes-all systems.

Speaker Nabih Berri had granted political blocs until May 15 to reach an agreement over a new electoral law before calling parliament to session to vote on the Orthodox Gathering proposal that was approved by the joint parliamentary committees.

The Orthodox draft, which divides Lebanon into a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system, is rejected by President Michel Suleiman, caretaker Premier Najib Miqati, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat's National Struggle Front, the Mustaqbal Movement, and independent March 14 MPs have rejected the law.

They say the proposal deepens sectarian divisions in Lebanon.

The political powers have so far failed to reach an agreement on an alternative law, threatening to postpone the parliamentary elections that are scheduled for June 16.

Tackling the cabinet's formation, Franjieh said he does not mind taking part in the opposition instead of participating in the council of ministers.

“If we did not get the share we want in the cabinet, we do not mind forming the opposition.”

“What the March 8 alliance is demanding is its right if we take into consideration the number of MPs we have at the parliament,” he remarked.

"If 8 seats were to be allocated to each of March 14, March 8 and independent figures, these must be truly independent. But the names suggested for these seats are not independent.”

The meeting was attended by Marada's ex-Minister Youssef Saade, and Serge Dagher and George Jreij, members of the Phalange's political bureau, the released statement noted.