Kataeb Party Hails Mountain Reconciliation as 'Red Line', 'Backbone' of a Better Lebanon

The Lebanese Kataeb party on Monday renewed unwavering commitment to the 2001 Mountain reconciliation that brought together Christians and Druze, deeming it as a "red line" that must not be crossed at any cost.

In a statement issued following its weekly meeting, the Kataeb's politburo hailed the Mountain reconciliation as the "backbone" of the Lebanon that everyones aspires to; a country of openness, where all citizens are equal and live in dignity.

The party called on the government to take a steadfast and unified stance on the issue of the Syrian refugees' return as a Russian delegation is visiting Beirut soon to launch talks on this matter, demanding that it sets out a clear plan that would ensure that the Syrians would go back to their country as soon as possible.

The politburo also warned that the refugee crisis is turning into a subject of political and security struggle causing an existential danger in Lebanon, especially following the recent developments witnessed at refugee camps nationwide.

The party, therefore, called on the government to implement the laws strictly and fairly, while according importance to the violations being committed against the Lebanese and safeguarding the refugees' dignity at the same time.

The party blasted the ruling authority for using sectarian incitment to partition political gains while disregarding the worst economic, financial and social crisis that the country is going through.

"The Lebanese are paying the price for the failure of a settlement that claimed to be achieving constitutional events, while it was only based on personal interests, partitioning and clientelism," the politburo said, calling for a comprehensive national opposition to curb the prevailing chaos.