Lebanese missing in Syria high on A. Gemayel's agenda

Kataeb Party boss Amine Gemayel, told interlocutors today that the issue of Lebanese citizens presumed to be missing in Syria would top his priorities in event of dispatching Arab League monitors to Damascus. Addressing a delegation from Tarshish and members of Congress of Oriental Christians at the Kataeb main office in Saifi today, Gemayel spoke about the alleged Hizbullah ground cables near their village and expressed support for their fight to remove the cables describing villagers as courageous and dignified. He reiterated March 14's intention to raise the issue of those Lebanese presumed to be in Syrian jails. Gemayel described moves by the people of Tarshish as acts of courageous resistance in their own right. He concluded that there were in fact standing up in the face of Hizbullah on behalf of all Lebanese and not just in favor of the Lebanese Forces and Kataeb. Gemayel added that the rise of a potent Lebanese state provides the solution for such issues. He reiterated support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) since in his word, it strengthens the Lebanese Court system. Gemayel however, maintained a stretched hand to the other group saying he was willing to negotiate with them for the good future of all. He perceived affinity between the Arab Spring and the Lebanese opposition since both championed liberty and democracy.