The following are a selection of stories from Lebanese newspapers that may be of interest to Daily Star readers. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.
Al-Joumhouria
Aoun and Geagea: The impossible victory?
Political signals suggest the presidential election may not take place within the 60-day constitutional deadline, which began on March 25 and ends on May 25. This means that a power vacuum is likely if a successor to President Michel Sleiman was not elected before the end of his term.
A political leader says that the election could be delayed till September, citing the lack of consensus on the presidential candidate.
He said that the nomination of Change and Reform leader MP Michel Aoun and Lebanese Forces head Samir Geagea to run in the presidential election contributes to delay in the election process because a tug of war is likely to drag between the political forces, which could also have repercussions that could increase tensions.
Thus, Sleiman’s term would end without choosing a succor.
The political leader said that Aoun, who is receiving some encouraging Arab and U.S. support, is adamant that he will run in the election.
Geagea’s nomination also complicates the election process, the leader believes.
He says that Geagea’s rivalry with Aoun will leave elections free from other candidates. However, neither Geagea nor Aoun will win even if Parliament secured a two-thirds quorum.
Ad-Diyar
Jumblatt discussed presidential election with decision-makers in Paris, will meet Hariri to [discuss elections] and then Moscow to complete the picture
The presidential election has become a priority in order to avoid a power vacuum in the presidential seat.
Observers noted shuttling of ambassadors of major world powers, most notably U.S. Ambassador David Hale, who has intensified his meetings with Lebanese political leaders in a bid to determine the identity of the next president against the backdrop of the Syrian war.
The most significant meeting was between Hale and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt, with the two men discussing the nominees for president.
Jumblatt has also discussed the presidential election with decision-makers in Paris. He is also likely to discuss elections with Future Movement leader Saad Hariri.
Jumblatt, according to the same sources, is likely to visit Moscow to exchange views with Russian officials on the presidential election.
More to follow ...
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