BEIRUT: MP Michel Aoun has reportedly rejected talks on compromise presidential candidate between former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai.
"Let them talk as much they want,” Aoun was quoted as telling visitors. “I will go ahead with my nomination and I will never retract it."
His remarks were carried by the local daily As-Safir Friday.
Aoun was referring to a recent meeting between Hariri and Rai in Rome in which the two reportedly discussed the withdrawal of Aoun and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea from the presidential race.
The Free Patriotic Movement leader pointed to an agreement he had reached with Hariri.
Hariri, Aoun reportedly said, “had welcomed my presidential nomination, but suddenly a veto was placed by Saudi Arabia ... that led Hariri to bow to pressure and back down.”
As-Safir said spokesmen for both Bkirki, the seat of the Maronite Church, and Hariri have denied that the two men discussed names for the presidential election.
Hariri’s latest initiative to break the nearly 5-month-old presidential impasse has set political activity into motion with a view to reaching “a package deal” that would set the stage for a smooth extension of Parliament’s mandate and the election of a new president.
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