The Job: Rebuild a Country

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President-elect Gemayel discusses Lebanon's problems

During eight years of bitter sectarian strife in Lebanon, Bashir Gemayel, 34, gained a reputation as an iron-willed warlord of his country's Christian militia forces as he fought both Muslim and rival Christian groups. But now Gemayel, who will take office as President on Sept. 23, is talking like the national leader of Christian and Muslim alike. Last week Lebanon's President-to-be, lounging in blue slacks and an open-necked shirt in his 400-year-old ancestral home in Bikfaya, talked with TIME Rome Bureau Chief Wilton Wynn about Lebanon's problems. Highlights from the interview:

On making peace with Israel. We are all fed up with war and the military machines built up since 1948. It is our right to seek a good peace process and peaceful relations with all our neighbors. No one can give us lessons in nationalism after what we have suffered, after the suffering of our children, the loss of our homes, our dignity. We seek real peace, a true peace in Lebanon and in the region. How it will take place and what will be the process we will discuss when we have a central government and all foreign troops leave. If anyone offers us friendship, normal economic relations, the good-hearted Lebanese will accept what is offered.

On Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. I understand Israel's point of view [about not leaving until its border with Lebanon is secure]. For the past 20 years, the Lebanese government has not taken responsibility for the security of South Lebanon or its borders. Such groups as the P.L.O., the Japanese Red Army and the Italian Red Brigades used the south as a base of operations, endangering many countries. From the Israeli viewpoint, I understand why they have to keep not only one eye but both eyes on that region. But I promise that in the very near future, the Lebanese government will take on the responsibility for security on Lebanese soil and ensure that never again will our neighbors be in danger from actions launched from Lebanon.

On Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon. The Arab League must take back the mandate to Syria to keep troops here. We shall then proceed to implement the withdrawal of Syrian troops.

On relations with the Arab world. We will continue to be part of the Arab community and the Arab League. But our presence should never affect our independence, our liberty, our uniqueness. We are the only state in the Middle East where Christians, Muslims, Jews, atheists may be at peace, where all may have equal opportunities, where all may have equal rights.

On the P.L.O. remnants in Lebanon. The P.L.O. bears a tremendous moral responsibility for what has happened in Lebanon since 1968. It is no accident that they are not wanted in other Arab states. The best thing for the remaining P.L.O. fighters is to leave Lebanon without provoking more trouble. It is best for them to try to let the Lebanese forget what has happened.

On other Palestinians in Lebanon. We will not endanger the Palestinian population here. Those remaining in Lebanon will be under the law, control and protection of the Lebanese government. But we will not any longer tolerate their being a state within the state.