Lebanon’s political scene is witnessing extensive political contacts and meetings over the presidential vacuum, especially among the parties opposing the election of the head of Marada Movement, Sleiman Franjieh.
On Thursday, Franjieh - whose candidacy is backed by Hezbollah and the Amal Movement - visited Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari.
While no statement was issued following the meeting, the head of Marada tweeted: “We thank his Excellency, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for the invitation. The meeting was cordial and excellent.”
Bukhari later met with a delegation from the National Moderation Bloc.
Meanwhile, the head of the Kataeb Party, MP Sami Gemayel, met on Thursday with MP Wael Bou Faour, member of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) and the Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc.
Gemayel stressed that extensive contacts were underway to reach a breakthrough in the presidential crisis.
Parliamentary sources in the opposition told Asharq Al-Awsat that three names were under discussion. They include Army Commander General Joseph Aoun and former ministers Ziad Baroud and Jihad Azour.
While the sources expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement soon, they pointed to the opposition’s caution against a possible parliamentary confrontation if the other side insisted on Franjieh, saying that the results could turn in his favor in the election session if quorum is secured.
Democratic Gathering MP Hadi Abul-Hassan stressed the need to agree on a candidate that would gain the support of all sides.
He explained that Franjieh’s supporters should “take a step back” and agree on a consensual president, noting that no side has so far secured the parliamentary quorum of 86 deputies to elect a president.
