Kataeb Urges Maronite, March 14 Talks over Presidential Elections

The Kataeb party called on Monday for addressing the presidential elections through a meeting of Maronite leaders in Bkirki, and through talks between March 14 figures.

In a statement released after the political bureau's weekly meeting, the party called on all parties to embark on the process of electing a new president within the constitutional timeframe.

"And we also call for addressing the presidential elections through a meeting of Maronite leaders in Bkirki, and through a March 14 and a national meeting,” the statement added.

"We have tasked a committee formed of some political bureau members to draft suggestions that could assure holding the presidential elections on time, and preventing vacuum,” the statement revealed.

Earlier on Monday, a parliamentary committee formed by Speaker Nabih Berri announced that all the parliamentary blocs it has met with have promised to attend the first parliamentary session to elect a new president, which the speaker is expected to schedule "between April 15 and April 30."

The constitutional timeframe to elect a successor to President Michel Suleiman began on March 25, amid the president's refusal of any extension of his term -- which ends May 25.

Until the moment, only Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has officially nominated himself for the presidency.

Separately, Kataeb's politburo called for providing the needed support to assure the success of this security plan in the Bekaa, “following its positive outcome in the northern city of Tripoli.”

“We hope this plan would extend to include all Lebanese regions until we reach an arms-free country,” the statement said.

"The success of this plan underscores the state's capability of taking matters into its own hands, when a national decision in this regard is secured.”

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Y.R.