Is reliance on the clout of outside forces and arms outside state control part of national dialogue or part of playing with fire, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s representative at a mass commemorating the 29th anniversary of the assassination of ex-president Bashir Gemayel asked rhetorically.

Slain president Gemayel “strived throughout the crisis to restore the unity of land, the sovereignty of people and the prestige of the state,” Patriarchal Vicar General Roland Abu Jaoude said at the ceremony in the Beirut district of Ashrafieh on Wednesday.

Phalange Party MP Nadim Gemayel condemned on Wednesday the possession of illegitimate arms in Lebanon, saying that President Michel Suleiman and Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s positions on Hizbullah’s weapons won’t change the fact that they are illegitimate.

He said after a mass commemorating the 29th anniversary of the assassination of his father, former President Bashir Gemayel: “They believe that the army cannot protect Lebanon and therefore allowing one faction to carry arms encourages others to turn to arms as well.”

Former Prime Minister Omar Karami stated on Wednesday that centrism in governing Lebanon “does not work.”

He made his statements in reference to Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s description of himself as a “centrist” figure in Lebanon.

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed the importance of finalizing the electricity project to solve the issue that is affecting the citizen’s livelihood.

He declared during Wednesday’s parliamentary meeting that a parliament session will be held as soon as possible to discuss and adopt the project after the concerned committees complete their work.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Wednesday expressed relief at Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s confirmation that his statements on Syria and Hizbullah’s arms were taken out of context.

In remarks to Free Lebanon radio, Geagea said that he faced “uncertainty” when he heard al-Rahi’s remarks during his visit to Paris. “I know well the church’s stance and al-Rahi’s stand from humanitarian principles, core values, human rights, humanitarian dignity, the freedom of people, democracy and the right of self-determination.”

The March 14 General Secretariat condemned on Wednesday the various attempts aimed at procrastinating in funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that Lebanon is obligated to pay.

It therefore urged, in a statement after its weekly meeting, the Lebanese government to determine its position on the funding away from political and media maneuvers that are aimed at obstructing the functioning of the tribunal.

State commissioner to the military court Judge Saqr Saqr ruled out on Wednesday any “terrorist act” in the bombing that shook Antelias last month, saying the military judiciary was no longer entitled to follow up the case.

The National News Agency said that Saqr received the final report of explosives experts on the bombing that left two people dead.

French ambassador Denis Pietton unveiled on Wednesday that Paris was disappointed with the statements made by Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi following talks with top French officials.

In remarks to AlKalima Online website, Pietton said that the officials were “surprised and disappointed” with the remarks of al-Rahi who linked the fate of Hizbullah’s arms to the liberation of the remaining Israeli-occupied Lebanese territories.

The army ended an overnight clash that erupted between a French Patrol in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and a number of youths in the southern town of Aita al-Shaab, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

A number of youths assaulted the French patrol and pelted it with stones on Tuesday night after blocking its way, the NNA said.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati agreed with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri, al-Liwaa newspaper reported on Wednesday.

“The STL will be funded under any circumstance,” sources close to Jumblat told the daily.