‘Bkirki Document’: Hezbollah’s arsenal still the center of differences

The representatives of the Christian political parties and parliamentary blocs will meet once again in Bkirki under the leadership of the Maronite Patriarch, Bechara al-Rai, to carry on with the discussions centered on the “Bkirki document.”

This text, which has been in the pipeline for several weeks, aims to provide the Christian community’s unified vision on issues deemed “existential.”

While the parties involved converge on the broad outlines of the text — starting with the need to elect a president as soon as possible —, differences remain deep on equally crucial points. These include the country’s foreign policy and Hezbollah’s arsenal. The latter issue is at the heart of current debates. Opposition leaders expressed doubts about the relevance of the process and lowered their expectations.

This applies to the Head of Lebanese Forces (LF) Samir Geagea. In an interview he had two weeks ago with the state-run Télé Liban TV channel, the Maronite leader caused a stir when he said that drawing up the document makes “much ado about nothing,” and that he was “not convinced” of the meetings’ importance.

Geagea’s remarks raised fears about the future of the process, which is now under fire from this majority Christian party. “We didn’t say that it is akin to the squaring of a circle. But if the meetings don’t lead to anything concrete, it will really be much ado about nothing,” said MP Fadi Karam (LF\Koura) representing the party at the Bkirki meetings. He added that contacts are continuing “in a positive atmosphere” to release the “Bkirki document.”

“The text that should emerge from the meetings at the patriarchal headquarters must clearly address the country’s main scourge, namely Hezbollah’s weapons, which are stopping the building of a proper state,” said LF spokesperson Charles Jabbour.

Jabbour denied recent press reports that the LF might withdraw from the process if the weapons issue is not addressed. He sent the ball back into the court of his party’s main Christian rival, Gebran Bassil’s Free Patriotic Movement (FPM). “It will be very nice if the FPM signs a document criticizing Hezbollah for its arsenal,” he said. “If this process doesn’t bear fruit, we will decide accordingly,” added Jabbour.

The Kataeb party, represented by Sassine Sassine, advisor to party leader Sami Gemayel, is pressing to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1559, adopted in 2004.

The resolution provides for the disbanding and disarming of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, in a clear reference to Hezbollah. “The implementation of [Resolution no] 1559 is the first step on the road toward regaining the country’s sovereignty,” Sassine told L’Orient-Le Jour.

The FPM’s relations with Hezbollah are close to rupturing, against the backdrop of the war in Gaza and the presidential election. The party is cautious, perhaps to avoid severing its ties with its ally for good. “The issue of Hezbollah and the resistance’s weapons is still under discussion,” said a source close to Bassil.

Bassil had called on Bkirki to bring together all Christian leaders to face up to the risk of “marginalizing” the community. “The patriarch did not respond favorably to the request, and for the moment has brought together party representatives, but we are taking part anyways,” added the source. In FPM circles, it is said that they “regret hearing Christian leaders criticize a process initiated by the Maronite patriarch,” referring to Geagea.

Frangieh in Bkirki?

The Marada movement, led by Amal and Hezbollah’s candidate for the presidency, Sleiman Frangieh, will not attend the meeting in Bkirki, as the last inter-Christian meeting.

The reason seems obvious. They do not want to alienate Hassan Nasrallah’s party by partaking in a process that would target its arsenal.

However, the Maradas justified themselves to the head of the Maronite Church a few days ahead of the meeting. “I explained to Patriarch Rai in a meeting on Saturday that the approach adopted to develop the anticipated document is not in line with how we perceive things,” caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makari, who is close to Frangieh, told L’Orient-Le Jour.

He added that the leader of Zgharta, who is currently in Paris, will soon visit Bkirki to get things clear.

On the other hand, the Tashnag party is expected to partake in Tuesday’s meeting. “It did not take part in previous meetings for its own reasons that are not political,” said a source close to Bkirki. This source added that the process is making headway as per the schedule, with no delays.

This article was originally published in L'Orient-Le Jour. Translated by Joelle El Khoury.