Naharnet: Gemayel Reveals Ongoing Contacts with Syria Opposition over Missing Lebanese

by Naharnet Newsdesk 30 January 2012, 11:16

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel said on Monday that there are ongoing contacts with a number of Syrian officials, including the head of the opposition Syrian National Council Burhan Ghalioun.
“The contacts are aimed at inquiring about the Lebanese missing in Syria,” Gemayel said in a press conference.
He revealed that the party obtained information about Boutros Khawand, who was kidnapped near his home in the Metn on September 15, 1992 while on his way to work.
However, the Syrian authorities deny that he was in their custody.
Gemayel noted that the party “respects the free people’s will.”
He tackled the final statement issued by the “International Union for the Centrist Democratic Parties Conference”, saying that high-ranking international and regional officials attended the meeting.
“We agreed on the slogan of democracy and freedom,” Gemayel said.
The Phalange Party called for an international conference under the title “The International Union for the Centrist Democratic Parties Conference,” which was held on Friday.
He considered that the presence of international and regional officials in Lebanon demonstrated their “support for Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty.”
“The Union announced its support for the establishment of democratic regimes and condemned violent practices against people,” Gemayel stated.
He said that the Union has decided to establish a regional center in Beirut.
Asked about the March 14-led opposition Cedar Revolution, Gemayel pointed out that “the person who doesn’t acknowledge its principles will not be recognized by history.”
“We refuse to take Lebanon back in time. The Lebanese community is unique and it’s in no one’s interest to reject democracy,” he stressed.