Amin Gemayel stresses the importance of shielding Lebanon from the Syrian crisis, adding his party “cannot but sympathize with people calling for freedom and democracy.”

Former Lebanese President Amin Gemayel stated that the Phalange Party’s ambition is to host Lebanese, all Lebanese, adding, “we are against any locked boxes, and our policy over decades was that Lebanese should meet on Lebanon’s high interest.”
 
In an exclusive interview with Al-Manar TV on Friday evening, Gemayel said he believes that there are many conscious Lebanese leaders and we shouldn’t lose our role by internal disputes and absurd wars. “We are losing the role of leadership and we have an experience in leadership and democracy, we understand the Egyptian, Syrian and Libyan more than the West,” he told interviewer and journalist Imad Marmal.

Concerning the Syrian crisis, Gemayel stressed the importance of shielding Lebanon from the Syrian crisis, adding his party “cannot but sympathize with people calling for freedom and democracy.” “We cannot have influence on the Syrian revolution because it’s bigger than us… We need to deal with the Syrian [issue] wisely.” 

Answering a question about the efficiency of the June 11 national dialogue session, “The atmosphere was constructive, although each party clings into its convictions. Of course we won’t reach a solution within 24 hours, but dialogue eases tensions.” 

The Phalange leader said the Baabda Declaration eased fears and that Hezbollah needs to support it. He said he was open to a meeting with Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.