Gemayel Considers Local Situation 'Disastrous', Says 'Not Obsessed' with Presidency

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel described on Wednesday the situation in Lebanon as a “tragedy,” pointing out that he isn't “obsessed with the presidency.”

“Lebanon fell into a coma. There are no initiatives and no dialogue among the foes,” Gemayel said in an interview with An Nahar newspaper.

He stressed that he haven't decided yet if he is going to run in the upcoming presidential elections, saying: “I haven't taken any move in this regard... If the suitable conditions were available then I'll take my decision.”

Gemayel noted that he is seeking the formation of a “capable government and a president who would stay true to his constitutional oath and has enough courage to achieve it.”

Recent reports have said that President Michel Suleiman and Premier-designate Tammam Salam were seeking to form a de facto government.

Salam was appointed in April but has so far been unable to put together a government over the conditions and counter conditions set by the rivals parties.

Asked about demands to elect a “strong” Christian President, the Phalange leader said that “Lebanon is slipping over a cliff as the political foes are undermining the national unity.”

Last week, the Free Patriotic Movement demanded the election of a strong Christian president.

Gemayel considered in comments to An Nahar that “some people are dreaming about the presidency.”

“Any consensus on a Presidential candidate is the result of a certain international, regional and local agreement,” the Christian leader said.

Suleiman's six-year term ends in May 2014 but there are fears that differences between the rival March 8 and 14 alliances would lead to a further clash among the MPs and prevent them from heading to parliament to elect a new president.

The constitutional period to elect a new head of state begins on March 25, two months prior to the expiration of Suleiman’s mandate.