Miqati, Karami to Vote for Helou as Safadi Says to Take 'Tripoli Sensitivities' into Account

Former premier Najib Miqati announced Tuesday that he and his ally MP Ahmed Karami will vote for Democratic Gathering's presidential nominee MP Henri Helou during Wednesday's session, as Tripoli MP Mohammed Safadi said he will take the “sensitivities” in the city into consideration.

According to a statement issued by Miqati's office, the ex-PM met with Health Minister Wael Abou Faour and MP Helou in the evening at his Verdun residence.

“They conveyed to him a message from MP Walid Jumblat related to the presidential election that will be held tomorrow,” the office said.

“Following consultations with MP Ahmed Karami, it has been decided to support MP Helou in his run for presidency,” it added.

Meanwhile, Safadi's office told LBCI TV that the lawmaker “will take part in tomorrow's electoral session in line with the constitution and will vote as his conscience obligates him to do, while taking into account the sensitivities in Tripoli."

Earlier on Tuesday, Miqati confirmed that he will attend Wednesday's session with Karami, noting that they will take “the feelings of the Tripolitans” into account.

The vote is “an opportunity to practice our constitutional duty, enhance the democratic course in Lebanon and achieve the needed balance between the Lebanese authorities,” said Miqati following talks with Karami.

“The post of the presidency represents an essential symbol for Lebanon and for Christian presence in it,” the ex-PM and Tripoli lawmaker added.

“Accordingly, we will perform our constitutional duty tomorrow and we stress the need to elect a president who can realize the required accord during this critical period in Lebanon's history,” Miqati added.

But he pointed out that he and Karami will take into account “the sensitivity of the situation in the city of Tripoli and the feelings of the Tripolitans,” in reference to the nomination of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

The LF chief is unpopular in the northern city due to sectarian incidents during the civil war and the fact that he was convicted in the 1987 assassination of then PM Rashid Karami, who was a prominent Tripoli leader.

In a related development, Tripoli MP Mohammed Kabbara of the Mustaqbal bloc said Tuesday that “contacts are underway with Tripoli's MPs in order to hold a meeting today in Beirut and take a unified decision regarding voting in Wednesday's session.”

“There is a sensitivity concerning the presidential nomination of LF leader Samir Geagea,” Kabbara noted.

His remarks come despite the fact that his bloc had officially endorsed Geagea's bid on Monday.

Y.R.

M.T.