Franjieh: Aoun is the Best to Foster Good Relations with Syria

Source: Compiled by English.hizbollah.tv, 23-12-2008
Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh described Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's visit to Syria before the 2009 parliamentary elections as "a historical visit."
Franjieh said, after meeting with Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun in Rabiyeh on Tuesday that "the Lebanese, and especially the Christians, are not against relations with Syria but rather against the past relations with Syria."
"Aoun is working on regaining Christian rights," Franjieh told reporters following the visit he paid to the General. "Aoun's policy toward Syria is in favor of Lebanon," he stressed, adding that the FPM leader was "the best person to foster good relations with Syria, because he was an honorable opponent."
He said he believed the trip would have no negative repercussions on the 2009 parliamentary elections. "Aoun fought with honor and now holds an honorable friendship," he emphasized.
Franjieh said that some "other" parties did not benefit from being "open with Syria and the relationship with Hizbullah. Now, because a Christian figure is the main contact with Damascus, they accuse him of using illegal channels, while he is working to restore the Christians' rights and to preserve Lebanon's unity."
Responding to the issue of whether Aoun's visit to Syria, earlier this month, would affect the latter negatively in the elections, Franjieh said "I'm a friend of Syria, and I have always had good relations with Damascus. I was frank about my stand in the 2005 parliamentary elections, and it didn't cost me my supporters. Let's test our convictions and see the result."
Answering a question about the Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea's Swiss-type defense strategy, Franjieh pointed out that "to be like Switzerland, we first have to resolve the issues of Palestinian refugees and of the occupied Shibaa Farms." These were to be taken into consideration while proposing any defense strategy, he said.
"If Lebanon follows in the footsteps of Switzerland [and becomes a neutral country, does this mean "Israel" is no longer an enemy?" Franjieh wondered. He concluded that liberation from intervention and occupation should come first, "and then, we would discuss our future."
The Marada leader also tackled the predicted reconciliation with Bkirki, renewing readiness to visit Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir in order to achieve the reconciliation, praising the efforts made by President Michel Suleiman in this regard. "President [Michel Suleiman] is making efforts to arrange a meeting with Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, and he said Sfeir is ready for such a meeting."
However, he called on Patriarch Sfeir to stay at one distance from all sides, "as long as Bkirki [stands as an impartial player], and does not side with any party, then we will support him. But if he chooses to take with a party, then we are a party too."