National Liberal Party leader Dory Chamoun issued a statement on Tuesday that Saint Maroun’s Day is being used for ulterior motives rather than for a “new Christian openness to the Orient,” in reference to Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, Marada Movement leader MP Sleiman Franjieh and former President Emile Lahoud, who all celebrated the occasion in the village of Brad in Aleppo.

There is only one way to observe the holiday, and that is through the mass celebrated by Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, said Chamoun.

He also said he is not optimistic about a having a new relationship with Syria. Damascus never acknowledged the need to establish normal ties with Beirut and always attempted to meddle with Lebanon’s internal affairs, said Chamoun.

He touched on February 14’s commemoration of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, reiterating his attendance and adding, “The situation has not changed, and some [still] view Syrian interference as normal and acceptable.”

The Progressive Socialist Party (PSP)’s participation in the anniversary makes a difference, added Chamoun who said he is “annoyed because he is unable to find a justifiable excuse for PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt’s recent behavior.”

-NOW Lebanon

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