Hariri Meets Rahi as Talks Continue in Paris, Beirut over Presidential Race

For the second day in a row, the French capital continued to be the meeting place for talks on the presidential elections, as former Prime Minister Saad Hariri held talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Wednesday.

A statement issued by Hariri's office said that the meeting started at 7:30 pm at the residence of al-Mustaqbal Movement's head in Paris, and that both men discussed the latest developments in the country, and on top of them the presidential race.

"During the meeting, ex-PM Hariri stressed his total rejection of vacuum in the presidency, underlining the need to unite efforts among all Lebanese in order to hold the presidential vote within the constitutional timeframe," the office added.

"If it is correct that all political forces are against vacuum and are keen on holding the election ..., that means Lebanon and the Lebanese have the ability to avoid vacuum," the office quoted Hariri as telling al-Rahi.

According to an earlier statement, Maronite Bishop of Paris Maroun Nasser Gemayel, head of Hariri's office Nader Hariri and Bkirki spokesperson Walid Ghayad also attended the meeting.

LBCI television reported that Hariri would inform the patriarch that he is willing to go forward with any agreement reached between Christian factions in the country to elect a new president.

The ex-PM had met in Paris on Tuesday with Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil in the presence of Education Minister Elias Bou Saab over the vote, without reaching any accord.

MTV noted that Bou Saab has been tasked with the talks between Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri.

After meeting with Bassil, former premier Hariri telephoned Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel and updated him on the talks.

Meanwhile in Beirut, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat received a telephone call from French President Francois Hollande who stressed the importance of holding the anticipated vote before the constitutional deadline.

Hollande also hoped the presidential elections would be a gateway towards agreements between the Lebanese and securing stability in the country.

Earlier in the day, lawmakers failed once again in electing a new head of state as differences between the March 8 and 14 foes led to a lack of quorum in the parliamentary session.

While the March 14 camp held onto its candidate Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance, except for Speaker Nabih Berri's Development and Liberation bloc, boycotted the second round of the elections over lack of consensus on one candidate.

Berri set Wednesday, May 7 for a third round of voting.

In last week's first round of election, Geagea garnered the votes of 48 MPs. Aley MP Henri Helou, who is a centrist from the Democratic Gathering bloc, received the votes of 16 lawmakers.

One voted for Kataeb party chief ex-President Amin Gemayel and 52 MPs from the March 8 alliance cast blank ballots and then walked out of the session.

S.D.B./Y.R.