Phalange Party Rejects Arms Sway over National Dialogue

Phalange Party on Monday said it wants a “constructive” national dialogue and accused “some parties” of relying on the influence of “illegal weapons” in order to impose their own vision on the country.

In a statement issued after its weekly meeting, the party’s political bureau noted that holding national dialogue under the clout of arms “would be counterproductive and would deepen the current crisis, especially in the absence of a clear agenda that would tackle topics away from intransigent ideological stances.”

The politburo called on “the parties concerned to seek solutions that can lead to tangible and practical results whose implementation would be guaranteed, contrary to the results of the previous dialogue sessions.”

Addressing the issue of the Jbeil District town of Lassa, the party described the latest developments as “extremely dangerous,” noting that they expose “the violation of the rights of citizens and institutions as well as the State’s authority through the influence of weapons.”

The party also voiced solidarity with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi “concerning his efforts to resolve the crisis together with the relevant security agencies,” warning against “any settlements” over the “non-negotiable” rights of the citizens.