Following talks with Free Patriotic Movement leader General Michel Aoun in Rabiyeh, Marada Movement Leader Sleiman Frangieh denied that there is disagreement within the opposition on the issue of appointments, saying there are only different points of view while he termed the presence of Palestinian arms in Lebanon  a clear violation to Lebanon's sovereignty.

With regard to Fatah al-Intifada chief Abu Moussa's latest statements on Palestinian arms, Frangieh said: "Arms should be discussed at the national dialogue table."

As for municipal elections law drafted by Interior Minister Ziad Baroud, the Marada leader said that it is difficult in some towns to find a person with a BA degree to become a municipality mayor. "We are with finding a formula in some large areas, particularly Beirut that would create a balance."

With relation to Speaker Nabih Berri's proposal to establish a committee to abolish political sectarianism, Frangieh said "I don't believe that Berri aims to upset anyone in any particular sect and he is not seeking to eliminate religious confessions as alleged by some, but has presented a proposal for discussion. The abolishment of sectarianism must undergo a major process in order to fully explain the issue."

"Consensual democracy is the best form of democracy available for Lebanon as evident in the way we have approached things in recent times," Frangieh added.

Regarding the visits of U.S. envoys to Lebanon and reports that an agreement with Damascus will harm Tehran and Hezbollah, Frangieh said: "Mistaken are those who think there would be any American-Syrian settlement at the expense of Iran and Hezbollah."

20/1/2010