Today marks the beginning of the investigation into Riad Salameh’s case. Additionally, Christian parties in Lebanon are expressing their dissatisfaction with France’s handling of the presidential file. Many believe that France’s support of Suleiman Franjieh, Hezbollah’s presidential candidate, means further entrenching Hezbollah’s control over Lebanon and ignoring the desires of most Christian opposition parties. The leader of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea, also indirectly criticized France and Franjieh, saying he would refuse the entry of a “reluctant president” into the presidential palace. A member of the Kataeb party, Nadim Gemayel, called on France to abandon its role as a “broker.” Meanwhile, the Lebanese judiciary is conducting its first investigation into the prosecution of Riad Salameh for several crimes.
The investigation began today in the case of Riad Salameh
Thursday – 15 Ramadan 1444 AH – 06 April 2023 CE Issue Number [16200]
Beirut: «Asharq Al-Awsat»
Christian parties in Lebanon express their dissatisfaction with France’s approach to the presidential file. While Christians used to view France as a “compassionate mother”, today it seems to them to be supportive of a group, specifically of “Hezbollah” and its presidential candidate, the head of the “Marada Movement”, Suleiman Franjieh.
Most Christian parliamentary blocs believe that Paris’ support for Franjieh means consolidating the reality of Hezbollah’s control over Lebanon and ignoring what most of the Christian forces opposing the party aspire to. And the leader of the “Lebanese Forces” party, Samir Geagea, launched a double attack, albeit indirectly, against France and Franjieh, during the latter’s presence in Paris and after his return from it, through Geagea’s announcement of refusing the entry of a “reluctant president” into the presidential palace. Nadim Gemayel, a member of the Kataeb party, was also direct in his message to Paris, calling on it to abandon the role of “broker”. Gemayel said in a tweet yesterday on Twitter: “Unfortunately, in recent years, France has seen nothing but interests and deals in Lebanon, from exploration (for oil), to the port and post, at the expense of the interest of the Lebanese.”
While an official source in the “Free Patriotic Movement” was keen not to criticize France directly, he spoke of rejecting what he considered external interference in the Lebanese file. He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “With regard to the movement, the presidential election is Lebanese sovereign par excellence, and every external intervention must be at the request of all the Lebanese.”
On the other hand, the Lebanese judiciary begins today the first investigation session into the prosecution of the Public Prosecution in Beirut against the Governor of the Banque du Liban, Riad Salameh, his brother Raja, and his assistant, Marianne Howayek, for the crimes of “embezzlement, money laundering, illegal enrichment, and tax evasion.”
As the investigation into the case of Riad Salameh begins, tensions continue to rise in Lebanon as Christian parties express their dissatisfaction with France’s approach to the presidential file. While France was once viewed as a “compassionate mother” by Christians, it is now seen as supportive of “Hezbollah” and its presidential candidate. Most Christian groups believe that France’s support for Franjieh will consolidate Hezbollah’s control over Lebanon and ignore the aspirations of those who oppose the party. As Lebanon grapples with political instability and economic hardship, the outcome of this investigation and the upcoming presidential election will undoubtedly shape the country’s future.