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Remember that politics move quickly, and people and their opinions evolve.
Gemayyel Sharpens His Elbows
June 11, 2007 · Mustapha Hamoui
The Ex-president’s landmark speech (transcript) yesterday shows that that March14 Christians are unhappy with some of the compromises and half-measures that Hariri could be indulging in.
Here’s a significant paragraph of Mr. Gemayyel’s speech:
????? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ????????? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ?????. ??? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ????????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ?????????? ??????????. ??? ??????? ???????? ???? ??? ??????? ????????? ??? ???????? ????????? ???? ?????. ?? ????????? ??????????? ???????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ?????. ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ? ???? ?? ??????? ???????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ? ??? ?? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? . ????? ?? ????? ?????
Translation & emphasis mine:
Let it be clear from the beginning that attempting to accommodate these groups (extremist Islamists) or contain them in order to placate them only makes them stronger. The only way forward is to destroy them in their cradle. Any wavering against this divisive ill can change all the equations and alliances. For neither the Lebanese version of Islam resembles this imported phenomenon, nor are the Christians willing to allow it to grow. The Lebanese Christians who believe in a peaceful coexistence are pleading their Muslim brothers to be the pioneers in controlling the situation because the Lebanese (demographic) balance cannot sustain any more pressure.
The Lebanese Christians were at the forefront of the creation of this country and made sure at critical stages (like at when the Greater Lebanon was established) that Lebanon be united in its regions and peoples. Those Christians will not stay idle in case of a real threat to their existence, their role or their dignity. I warn you, don’t play with fire!
Gemayel’s warnings could be interpreted as a willingness from March14 Christians to go publicly against measures like those done to calm the Ein El Helwé camp, were a Palestinian force was agreed on to create a security buffer zone between the Islamists and the Lebanese army, with a veiled threat of leaving the alliance altogether(with Hariri) in case they were ignored.
(If you want to read about the speech’s political background, check this article)