Report: Franjieh Not Part of Future Presidential Elections Phase

Lebanon's presidential elections is approaching a new phase amid reports claiming that the chances of MP Suleiman Franjieh to reach the top state post are dimming, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

The daily quoted unnamed sources as saying that Hizbullah did not take in the initiative of Mustaqbal Movement chief MP Saad Hariri to elect Franjieh, because Tehran has rejected the offer and considers it a Saudi Arabian maneuver against it in Lebanon.”

According to the sources, the latest “coalition” between the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement during Sunday's municipal elections in Zahle against a list backed by Myriam Skaff, was actually meant to show that the alliance between the two Christian parties is “unbreakable,” making it impossible to elect a president against their will.

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, of the March 14 camp, endorsed founder of the FPM MP Michel Aoun, of March 8, for the presidency.

The sources also said that the March 14 alliance has closed the file on the option to elect a president from its rival March 8 camp following Hizbullah's refusal and has therefore settled for agreeing on a compromise president.

Franjieh emerged as Aoun's main rival in the electoral race after the Hariri-Franjieh agreement.

“Most importantly, is that the next stage will be a challenging one and also a stage of major financial and economic opportunities,” they emphasized.

“It includes on one hand the problem of unprecedented financial sanctions on Hizbullah, and on the other hand Lebanon faces a chance to prove its ability to take a role within the largest process of international reconstruction taking place in the world,” the sources pointed out.

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of president Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014.

Franjieh and Aoun, both of the March 8 camp, are candidates for the post.

MP Henri Helou is the nominee of Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.

D.A.

M.T.