Gemayel Tours South for First Time since 1983, Highlights Dialogue in Ending Political Disputes
Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel embarked on Saturday on a tour of the South, the first such visit since 1983, reported An Nahar daily.
He stressed: “Our solidarity helps preserve our security and stability.”
He made his remarks from the residence of Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil in the town of al-Khiyam, the third stop of his tour.
“Our presence here is the greatest message against those seeking to harm Lebanon,” he added.
“We are committed to achieving Lebanon's higher interests,” he stressed.
“No one can save Lebanon alone, but we must all agree on common factors,” Gemayel stated.
“Lebanon derives its strength from its unity and solidarity of its people,” he continued.
For his part, Khalil said: “Lebanon is facing several dangers, such as the constant Israeli threat and the new takfiri terrorism that does not distinguish between the people.”
“We support dialogue and communication between all factions. Differences are probably necessary for political life, but we reject divisions,” he added.
“We welcome Gemayel in the South because his visit helps bolster communication between all sides,” he stated, while calling on all political figures to follow his example and head to the South.
“We hope dialogue would end disputes, restore normalcy to state institutions, and ensure the election of a president,” he noted.
Both officials hoped that proper functioning would be restored at state institutions and that political powers would succeed in electing a new president to end the months of vacuum.
Khalil later threw a luncheon banquet in Gemayel and the accompanying delegation's honor.
Later during the day Gemayel inaugurated a Kataeb center is Marjeyoun, he stressed that "Its about time we elect a president to restore order to all the state's institutions, and restore discussions on a defense strategy to protect Lebanon."
"We have all fought for Lebanon's interest one way or another,but we have all fought outside the state's authority," added Gemayel.
Earlier, Gemayel had kicked off his tour by visiting the town of al-Qulaia and Khalwat al-Bayyada and later the archbishopric in Hasbaya.
Kataeb sources told An Nahar that Gemayel's visit “is an extension of the current dialogue between Gemayel and Speaker Nabih Berri and between the Kataeb and Hizbullah.”
“The talks will bolster the spirit of reconciliation and openness in Lebanon,” they explained.
M.T.
D.A.
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