The Arab Democrat The Latest From The Arab World
Related Articles
Leader of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea said that there exists a possibility for a void in the Presidency “should the other camp choose to obstruct the democratic process”. In an interview scheduled to air on al-Jazeera television Monday night, Geagea said, “I do not fear security chaos should vacuum arise.”
“Vacuum is also possible should centrists shy away from their responsibilities. Vacuum should instead demand that we study the situation because a certain faction in Lebanon does not want to ensure the rise of the state. We cannot continue in an imbalanced and uneven state that does not have complete authority over its powers”, he added.
When asked about the rapprochement between the Free Patriotic Movement and rival Mustaqbal Movement, he responded, “We support open talks between all Lebanese. Attempts to understand the other are not a sign that concessions over a political agenda will be made”.
Additionally, Geagea denied claims that international and regional powers want FPM leader MP Michel Aoun to get elected as President because of his ties with Hezbollah and that there is a chance he could reach an agreement with them regarding their possession of arms. “I have not received any foreign diplomatic proposals on Aoun’s election, but I believe that some March 8 camp media outlets are promoting such claims”, he said.
Geagea added that international and regional powers don’t play a very prominent role in the elections, and noted that only Iran has any real influence over the polls. “We have a serious chance to elect a president who is ‘made in Lebanon’ seeing as major powers are preoccupied with other affairs”, he said.
He also responded to questions regarding an amendment to the constitution which would allow a presidential candidate outside the political realm, like Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji or Central Bank Governor Riyad Salameh, saying no parliamentary bloc has made any such suggestion. “A constitutional amendment is only made when a very dangerous development takes place and only with the consent of all parties”, he said.
