Independence Movement leader Michel Moawad welcomed Saturday the rapprochement between the Lebanese Forces and Free Patriotic Movement, which laid the foundations for a reconciliation among Christian factions after 30 years of conflict.

“It is time that the Christian community ends its divisions and unite to confront today’s challenges,” Moawad said following a meeting with LF leader Samir Geagea in Maarab.

Moawad said the LF-FPM 10-point agreement laid the groundwork for an acceptable compromise.

“Though the 10-point agreement between the LF and FPM falls short of our aspirations, it represents an acceptable compromise as opposed to the Cabinet’s ministerial statement,” Moawad said.

Moawad voiced hope that the reconciliation between the LF and the FPM paves the way for a rapprochement among all Lebanese factions.

“The LF-FPM agreement is a necessity on the Christian and national level because it bolsters the role of Christians in state institutions,” Moawad said.

Moawad added that though Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah renewed his support for former General Michel Aoun’s presidential bid, he fell short of putting pressure on its allies to vote in Aoun’s favor.

“Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah outlined three principles in his recent speech: First, he renewed his support for former General Michel Aoun’s presidential bid; second, he urged the election of a president that is acceptable by all Lebanese partiesl and third, he practically said he can’t ask his allies for any favors,” Moawad said.

The Independence Movement leader downplayed the prospect of a presidential election in the near future and urged a rapprochement among all Lebanese factions to prevent a further deterioration in the social and economic situation.

“The country can no longer bear the consequences of any confrontation in this transition period so we should expand the intra-Christian reconciliation to include all Lebanese factions particularly since the Lebanese are suffering from a an economic slowdown and a waste crisis,” Mowad said, welcoming the recent agreement to breathe life into the Cabinet.