No endorsement until Frangieh meets us halfway: Gemayel

In 2015, Lebanese political dynamics were particularly tense as the country grappled with a prolonged presidential vacuum. Amidst these complexities, Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel made headlines with his stance on Sleiman Frangieh’s candidacy for the presidency. Gemayel emphasized that his party would not endorse Frangieh unless he demonstrated a willingness to meet halfway, indicating a need for significant political compromise and reassessment of his alliances and policies.

Gemayel underscored the importance of national unity and the need for Hezbollah to also engage in genuine dialogue and compromise to resolve the presidential deadlock. He pointed out that Hezbollah’s dominance in Lebanese politics hindered the process of electing a president who could truly represent and serve the interests of all Lebanese people, rather than perpetuating divisive sectarian politics.

The call for Frangieh to distance himself from certain alliances, particularly those aligning with Hezbollah, was a critical point in Gemayel’s conditional support. This reflects broader concerns within the Kataeb Party about ensuring Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence from external influences and internal sectarian divides.

These statements by Gemayel were part of a larger discourse on the need for political reform and unity in Lebanon, highlighting the intricate balance of power and the ongoing struggle to establish a stable and representative government amidst a landscape fraught with historical and political complexities.