Phalange leader Amin Gemayel visited President Michel Suleiman at Baabda Palace on Tuesday a day after holding talks with the prime minister on his party’s reservations over the cabinet’s policy statement and amid hints that it is set to withdraw its threat to quit the government.

 

Several ministers and lawmakers representing the Phalange accompanied Gemayel to seek clarifications from Suleiman, who told the delegation that “the policy statement focuses on the authority of the state in all political affairs and mainly the defense of Lebanon and the liberation of occupied Lebanese territories.”

 

The document is “in conformity with” with the Baabda Declaration and the national defense strategy in terms of the authority of the state and its role in benefiting from the legitimate capabilities of the nation.

 

Premier Tammam Salam also appeased Gemayel on Monday, saying he understood the concerns expressed by the party. [Link]