Franjieh counsels cautiousness in such critical phase

Marada movement leader Sleiman Franjieh said cautiousness is a must within such a critical phase but without fears for "our choices ought to be eventually victorious despite schemes being set for the region."

Franjieh, speaking yesterday during the Marada annual traditional dinner banquet held at the former President Sleiman Franjieh's palace in Ehden, said his media appearances were few because of the firm and unwavering stances his movement abides by.

"We are firm in the stances our Christianity, Maronitism, and nature of our relations dictate us," he noted.

Franjieh uttered concern over Lebanese and regional situation and said that "as we have gone through an Israeli-Arab conflict we are now undergoing a Sunnite-Shiite conflict phase, which will automatically affect Lebanon."

"Americans, French, and some Arabs' words of reassurance on our existence are not important for what matters is that Churches remain standing, that we remain in this Orient, and that our role remains as partners in the country," he said.

On the Syrian level, Franjieh warned that the end of Syrian events might be the beginning of Lebanese ones deeming the indictment in general to be against Hezbollah and not Syria. "Some may think that if the Syrian regime collapses, the STL would collapse as well thus pointing charges against Hezbollah would be killing two birds in one stone," Franjieh said.

At greater length, Marada leader said those might also think that if the Syrian regime's collapses the true and moral cover of the Resistance will fall.