Gemayel meets Abu Najem, refuses election of 'defiant' president

Kateb chief MP Sami Gemayel met Monday with Maronite Archbishop of Antelias Antoine Abu Najem over the presidential crisis.

“The meeting was fruitful,” Gemayel said, adding that his party will do its best to prevent the election of a president who adopts a “defiance approach” that would destroy "what is left of Lebanon."

“We will not accept to be threatened with void in order to elect their candidate,” Gemayel said.

Assigned by Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, Abu Najem had started last month an exploratory tour, during which he explored the stances of Christian leaders and their approach toward the presidential crisis.

He had met Lebanese Forces and Free Patriotic Movement leaders Samir Geagea and Jebran Bassil at the end of last week, media reports said, and will meet Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh in the coming hours.