Gemayel Meets Suleiman as Part of Kataeb Initiative to End Presidential Deadlock
Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel held talks on Tuesday with outgoing President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Palace.
He left the Baabda Palace without making any statement.
Gemayel said later in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) that his visit to Suleiman comes before the president's tenure ends.
“We are preparing to carry out the presidential elections on time... as we have no other option,” he added.
The Kataeb leader warned that vacuum would create imbalance and demolish the national pact and stability between the factions of the nation.
On Monday, the Christian official met with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.
Gemayel has met with several leaders in the country in the past week as part of his initiative to resolve the presidential deadlock.
He has held talks so far with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, Marada movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.
“The presidential elections are a national responsibility,” Gemayel said from Bkirki.
The ongoing disagreement between the March 8 and 14 camps is raising fears that they will fail to elect a president before May 25, resulting in vacuum in the country's top post.
The first presidential elections session was held on April 23, but neither Geagea nor Democratic Gathering MP Henri Helou garnered the necessary 86 votes to emerge victorious.
Two other sessions were supposed to be held, but they failed over lack of quorum after a March 8 camp boycott over the ongoing disagreement over a candidate.
The fourth session is scheduled for May 15.
H.K.
M.T.
over 10 years
Cedars, why not Demianos Kattar? I hate to think of another 6 years with anyone from the past.
over 10 years
100% Wolf, well said, it's time to clean the slate of all grime. Min temmak la bebel samah.
over 10 years
How many of you on here have posts deleted by mods, even if there is no vulgarity, name calling...? I have many of my posts deleted and I am not sure why. I am respectful to everyone on here. Any ideas? Also, how do you all track your posts on here?
over 10 years
I'm being serious. I would like to know. I am equally critical of both sides. Also, how do you track your posts? You cannot view anything under your profile or settings....
over 10 years
u cant keep track. Everybody get posts deleted now and then...
Relax and stay with us zahle...
over 10 years
Thank you. I just find it very offensive if you are respectful and respectfully disagree that your posts are deleted. I don't swear, attack anyone, or attack religion and they delete my posts all of the time. Horrible!
over 10 years
I was debating ex-communication. I stated I do not feel if someone disagrees with the Patriarch on politics that they are subject to ex-communication. You are only subject to ex-communication from the church if you do not follow a religious edict/law. Someone felt the opposite. I also stated that I am qualified to speak on this topic because I run the religious education program at my church, and stated I am Rum Catholic, not Maronite, and they deleted all of this. If Rahi wants people to vote and participate in the vote, I personally agree with him. But I do not feel if you choose not to vote that you can be kicked out of the church.
Get Gemayel back as consensus president.