Monday, 15 December 2014

Geagea downbeat on presidential election


BEIRUT: Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea is pessimistic about chances to elect a president for Lebanon in the near future, according to an interview with a Jordanian newspaper.


“I don’t see a quick solution to the presidential crisis as long as Gen. Michel Aoun remains adamant on his stance: either he becomes president or no president,” Geagea told the Jordanian newspaper Ad-Dustour in remarks published Monday.


The LF leader did not deny his own interest in reaching Baabda Palace.


“I will continue to run for the presidency, even though I am not attached to [the decision], until I see an alternative or an exit for the presidential election,” he stressed.


Geagea reiterated his willingness to face off with his Christian rival, Aoun, in a presidential vote in Parliament.


“Lebanon should not be left with a presidential vacuum,” he insisted. “Either Aoun and I go to Parliament as presidential candidates ... or let us sit together to agree on certain names to take to Parliament."


Lebanon has been without a president since May, when President Michel Sleiman’s term ended with lawmakers unable to elect a successor due to lack of consensus.


“Is it possible not to find a qualified person out of the 1.25 million Lebanese Maronites?” he asked.


In response to a question, Geagea said that Lebanon’s president was a Christian choice.


“Choosing a president starts with the Christians and ends with the entire Lebanese. That’s why the only suggestion is to agree on a candidate who has all the qualifications for a president and is accepted by everyone.”



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