BEIRUT: Kataeb leader Amin Gemayel urged the government to guarantee the security of leaders so that they can return to their country, his press office said Tuesday.

During his meeting with North Lebanon Mufti Sheikh Malek al-Shaar in Paris, Gemayel “urged officials to the state's capabilities in protecting its leaders and citizens and warned against a growing movement that is out of the state’s control,” according to a statement from his press office.

He added that obstacles preventing Shaar and other Lebanese leaders from returning to Lebanon should be removed, saying the mufti’s presence in France is proof of growing chaos and lack of security.

Late last year, the Tripoli mufti said members of the Internal Security Forces appealed to him on the eve of his daughter’s wedding to leave the country because his life was at risk.

Gemayel, the former president, also “directed an immediate call for the government to guarantee security of Tripoli and its citizens via an urgent plan that demilitarizes the city, to be followed by other plans for the whole country.”

The two discussed the situation of Lebanon and Tripoli and circumstances that have prompted the sheikh to leave the country.

Gemayel also met the head of the Lady of Lebanon dioceses Bishop Naser Gemayel and the two spoke about the situation of Lebanese and the mechanism the church has set up to strengthen communications.

Gemayel who also met former Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Paris is expected to meet French President Francois Hollande at the Elysee Wednesday.

The head of the Kataeb party and Hariri “discussed the challenges facing Lebanon at the national and regional levels.” They also discussed the various viewpoints on the proposed draft electoral laws, according to a statement released by Hariri’s office Monday.