Franjieh slams Bkirki for 'biased' stance in conflict

Franjieh slams Bkirki for 'biased' stance in conflict

Daily Star staff
Saturday, February 17, 2007


ZGHORTA: Former Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh criticized on Friday the "biased" position he claimed Bkirki has adopted in Lebanon's political conflict, saying that Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir was "discriminatory" in his handling of Christian matters. "If the opposition organizes a demonstration in protest against the increase of taxes, our motion is described as undemocratic and Bkirki accuses us of inciting street violence," he said, during an annual dinner organized by the Marada movement on the occasion of Shrove Tuesday.

Franjieh said that Sfeir seemed to "bestow" all his support on those parties who refused to sign the "code of honor" declaration put forth by Sfeir himself, in an attempt to avoid inter-Christian discord.

"General Michel Aoun and I signed the declaration as soon as it was made available to us; however, it seems as if we continue to be the targets of Sfeir's disapproval and criticism," he said.
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Franjieh said that Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea "vocalizes stands that blatantly" go against the declaration on a daily basis, "yet Bkirki sees all stands adopted by Geagea as democratic and constructive.

"Slander and libel are considered to be democratic practices, while fighting for the rights of the Lebanese is a barbaric act," the former minister said.

Franjieh was referring to the speeches of Geagea and Druze leader MP Walid Jumblatt against the Syrian regime and President Emile Lahoud during the two-year commemoration of Hariri's assassination.

Franjieh told attendees of the Marada movement dinner that both Jumblatt and Geagea feel threatened by the prospect of a common consensus to end the current political deadlock, "because they know that any solution will not be in their favor." - The Daily Star