"... We (the Christians) are the basis of this country ..."

Naharnet: "Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel on Saturday slammed Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat for criticizing some Christian political parties.

"Some of the statements made by Jumblat on Christian parties do not consolidate (positive) steps taken in the Mountains and do not safeguard Lebanon against threats that Jumblat fears such as the Israeli danger or (threats) on the international tribunal," Gemayel told LBC TV network.

"The problem with Jumblat is extremism in everything … We (the Christians) are the basis of this country … We have preserved the country, its sovereignty and Lebanon's Arabism," he stressed.

The former president told LBC that the country could only be saved through finding common grounds to face threats.

He said he was among the first politicians who called for improved relations with Syria. According to Gemayel, a new page with Syria should be opened through the state and not bilateral ties between Lebanese parties and Damascus.

On cabinet formation, the Phalange leader told LBC: I hope "Premier-designate Saad Hariri returns (to Lebanon) as soon as possible because things require a lot of efforts."