Kataeb MPs Quit,  Jumblatt’s Demands and  LFP Eyes Group Resignations

8/8/2020

(See Translation in Arabic section)

Lebanon: Kataeb Party Leader, MP Samy Gemayel, announced on Saturday the resignation of his party's three MPs from the Lebanese Parliament. Gemayel’s announcement came in his farewell word to his long-time comrade and friend, Kataeb’s late Secretary-General Nizar Najarian, who lost his life after being seriously injured in the Beirut explosion. A funeral was held at the Cathedral of Saints Gregory the Illuminator and Elias the Prophet, in Dabbas Square, where Kataeb partisans and family members gathered to pray for Najarian’s soul.

Meanwhile, Progressive Socialist Party Chief, Walid Jumblatt, commented on confrontations between the security forces and the demonstrators in Beirut, said: "It is a legitimate popular rage, in wake of the crime that was committed against Beirut and humanity."

Speaking on the “Al-Arabiya Al-Hadath” TV Channel, Jumblatt said: “I stated from the very first day that what is required is a neutral government, new parliamentary elections on the basis of a non-sectarian electoral law, and an international investigation committee; these are the three basic demands.”

He added: “We must not forget these matters and maintain the goal: firstly, a neutral government, since this government is not neutral but hostile; secondly, elections based on a new law; and thirdly, an international investigation committee. By this, we will have reached our aims, at least by holding accountable those who committed that crime.”

"What is required is a new political system in Lebanon. This revolution continues, yes, but what is required is a new political system, and this system is only built through a non-sectarian electoral law,” stressed Jumblatt.

Regarding the international investigation into the port explosion, Jumblatt indicated that he was the first to propose the idea of an international investigation committee, thanking Lebanese Forces Party Head, Samir Geagea, for supporting him. "We will pursue this matter, which we also raised with French President Macron, and this is important for the truth to be unveiled as to why did these explosive materials come to Lebanon since 2014, who used them, and for what purpose were they brought here?” questioned Jumblatt.

He reiterated his demands in calling or an international investigation committee and early elections based on a non-sectarian law. “If the public wants to change the mandate, and I understand its rage, then it must turn to the main Christian forces to demand the change of the covenant,” Jumblatt said.

GEAGEA EYES CO-ORDINATION

Lebanese Forces Party Chief, Samir Geagea, revealed Saturday that his bloc is working closely with fellow colleagues in Parliament to co-ordinate a joint decision to resign.

“Our resignations from the Parliament have been in our pockets since October 18, 2019, and our ministers resigned from the government at a record speed, and we have never clung to any position," affirmed Geagea.

He indicated that their resignations will be put into effect once they are sure that they will lead to early parliamentary elections, so as to avoid heading to by-elections to elect representatives with 200 and 500 votes, as was the case in 1992, at which stage their resignations would be to no avail.

“What helps people today is that we strive to reach early parliamentary elections,” Geagea confirmed, adding, “That is why we are working in full swing with all the parliamentary blocs to persuade them to submit all of our resignations, and thus would be the beginning of salvation from this authority.”

The LF Chief’s words came as he visited the area of Ashrafieh to have a closer look at its needs and the humanitarian works for residents who incurred huge damages to their homes.

He praised the initiative of all Lebanese in rising to each other’s aid as well as the help extended by Lebanon’s friendly and brotherly countries.