Report: March 14 Leaning towards Harb's Nomination for President instead of Geagea
The March 14 alliance is studying the possibility of the nomination of Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb as president instead of its current nominee Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, reported al-Akhbar newspaper on Saturday.
March 14 sources cited the various closed-door meetings among members of the camp and Harb's recent meeting with Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat as signs that the minister may be named as a candidate.
They revealed that officials within the camp are justifying the nomination by noting that Harb will likely garner more votes than Geagea in the elections.
The minister is being touted as a consensual president instead of Geagea, who is viewed by the March 8 camp as provocative figure, added the sources.
The March 8 camp has been demanding that a consensual president be elected as president.
The proposal of Harb as a nominee has not been met with approval by all members of the March 14 alliance, revealed the sources.
Harb stated after his talks with Jumblat on Friday; “The meeting was an occasion to exchange ideas on the means to confront the coming period, after the (parliament's) failure to hold the presidential vote” on Wednesday.”
He said he agreed with the MP on the need to find “new ideas” that might lead to “a certain agreement on holding the presidential vote within the constitutional timeframe.”
The LF bloc meanwhile said that it is still committed to Geagea as the March 14 camp's official nominee.
Sources from the bloc told al-Akhbar: “This is not Geagea's battle, but that of the March 14 camp, especially since he cannot garner any more votes at the elections than he already did in the first round.”
Geagea received 48 votes during the first round of the presidential elections that was held on April 23.
“Geagea will remain the March 14 alliance's only nominee,” stressed the LF sources.
His chances of winning the elections are greater before May 25 than after that date because Lebanon's efforts to hold the elections would return to square one after the country enters presidential vacuum, they warned.
The deadline to elect a new president ends on May 25 amid fears of vacuum in the country's top post over the rival March 8 and 14 camp's failures to agree on a presidential candidate.
The second round was set for Wednesday, but it failed to be staged due to a lack of quorum after the majority of March 8 alliance MPs, except those of Speaker Nabih Berri's Development and Liberation bloc, boycotted the elections.
Geagea slammed the move as undemocratic, accusing the alliance of abusing the constitution and forcing officials to choose between the March 8 candidate or presidential vacuum.
The alliance has yet to announce its candidate for the polls.
M.T.
10 years
ahla wa sahla bee sheikh Harb! problem is that we still need a quorum!
10 years
we dont, m14 should refer to the 'Conseil constitutionnel' about this quorum BS...
10 years
That's how democracy works: majority rules.
10 years
If Harb is the man so be it. This was never about Geagea for president but re-enforcing the M14 ideology that must prevail in order for us to live as a civilised and self respecting nation. Geagea alluded to this many times when he nominated himself as a result of the down ward spiral we were heading on, and on many occasions there after. The most disappointing thing in this whole circus is we have so called leaders wishing to de rail our national stability or what is left of it for personal gains. I for one am tired of bickering with my fellow countryman over political nonsense that only divides us and does nothing to progress our cause. Some might argue this is free speech but in order to have free speech we must be talking our own thoughts not those of politicians and armed milita's who clearly and undeniably only have their own interests at heart.
10 years
We need new blood. New faces. New programs. New plans.
10 years
Agree, lets get rid of Berri and replacce him with a new face. Also have Kasttar or Baroud for President.
10 years
I personally find Demianos Kattar the best candidate for Lebanon.
10 years
Captain we are tired from people like you that play with reality the way their wishful thinking guides them.
10 years
fake captain
10 years
Something like the I'd of the suicide bomber in dahyeh. Common sense eh? Something you lack.
10 years
captain let me guess you a hizbullah supporter with many other screen names and you are an atheist?
10 years
Totally wrong.
10 years
One dishonorable punk to replace another more dishonorable pest! March 14 have an abundance of dishonorables, so no worries.
10 years
Boutros Harb will be a great candidate for president. This man is respected for his seriousness and professionalism. This is indeed a man who can talk to all sides if elected. Yes, Harb is good.
10 years
good president if not assassinated by hezbollah....
10 years
phoenix we are all in agreeance there are a few good men (no pun intended) that would serve the cause, only problem is others seem to think it is aoun or nothing and this clearly is destroying the credibility of our presidential seat.
10 years
Obviously popeye and arzak-ya-liban lack common sense and it ain't common anymore.
10 years
If any of you had any common sense, you would see that all these circuses are trials to tarnish the reputation of Hezbullah.
10 years
another sicko on a weekend pass from asfourieh
10 years
Now Southern has common sense. :)
10 years
southy boy, are you still working on a defense strategy ? still eating fasoulia as part of that strategy?.... your israeli cousins are soon coming back to slap you on your empty skull, the way they did to mystic
10 years
Akeed. I am with you. It's HA against the world. Ya masakeen. They are saints. Sent to us by God. And us by cursing them are cursing God himself. We are all going to hell. And only HA and supporters will taste the wine of heaven.
10 years
Actually I don't fly MEA planes anymore. You notice I have the old logo and a photo of Boeing 747. Those were the glorious days my friend. Now I fly other planes.
10 years
lol
10 years
Like it or lump it bird man, this is democracy and if you don't like one man vote for your own.. if you do not have a candidate then don't obstruct the process for your own gains.. simple.. if you choose non of the above, then immigration might serve you best.
10 years
hahahahahaha... hold on while i get ready to believe anything lahood has to say... hold on... wait for it..... waaaaaiiiit for it.... nope!!!
i will make a deal... i will believe every word he utters the moment he learns how to speak english!!!
10 years
yes yes southern.... his would be assassin is wanted by the LEBANESE judiciary... but as with any decision against HA, our judiciary will be labeled a zionist entity soon enough by you people.
HA is letting Aoun lead the disruption of the presidential elections until May 25th. Between now and then, Aoun will be enjoying his childish games. After May 25th, HA will take over the reins and Aoun will be a bystander. HA will tell aoun what to do, what to expect, and who will be the president following HA negotiations with regional powers.