Word: gemayels
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...many other Lebanese were optimistic last week that Gemayel could reach an accommodation with the major Muslim groups. A true Christian- Muslim entente would go far toward achieving stability. If Lebanon's new President can indeed make the right gestures toward his opponents, he may yet have a chance to salvage his shattered country...
...Haddad, the Christian commander who has acted as an Israeli surrogate in southern Lebanon for the past six years. Haddad said last week that unless a peace treaty with Israel is signed, he will refuse to in corporate his militia into the Lebanese army as part of an overall Gemayel plan to disband the various Christian factions in the country...
Washington, too, was hopeful about Gemayel's election. Only hours after the vote, President Reagan sent a congratulatory message to Gemayel, promising that the U.S. would "work closely with the new government in the complex and difficult task ahead." Administration officials see Gemayel's election as the first step toward strengthening the central government in Lebanon and creating a stronger military, essential steps if the withdrawal of both Israeli and Syrian troops is to be negotiated. But there are also skeptics in the Administration who fear that if Gemayel resorts to ruthless tactics he will only further fragment...
Those most pessimistic about Gemayel's election, perhaps, are the Palestinian civilians who will remain behind after the P.L.O. fighters have left and who fear Gemayel. Even now, mothers in West Beirut are prone to tell their misbehaving children: "Don't do that. Bashir will come and get you." Last week Gemayel's Phalangist militiamen were taking food out of some cars heading into West Beirut and throwing it into the street. Palestinians are afraid that he may order a harsh crack down to drive them out of the country. Said a retired schoolteacher: "Bashir...
Liberator. Warlord. Patriot. Power-mad. Those are some of the terms that Bashir Gemayel's deeply riven countrymen have used to describe their President-elect during his years as a leader of the Christian militia forces. Part political idealist and part storm trooper, Gemayel, 34, has shown he will use whatever means necessary to achieve his nationalist goals. His supporters argue that Lebanon's dire condition requires just that sort of toughness. Opponents claim that he is a fierce political animal dedicated to narrow sectarian aims...