Aoun 'Optimistic' LF May Vote for Him, Says Talks to Tackle 'Christian Rights' before Presidency

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Sunday expressed optimism that the Lebanese Forces might vote for him in the presidential race, noting that the two parties will tackle the issue of “the rights of Christians” in their upcoming dialogue before moving to the presidential void.

“I'm optimistic that the LF might vote for me in the presidential race,” Aoun said in an interview on al-Jadeed television.

“The dispute with the LF occurred in 1989-1990 and we must not remain stuck in that era and we are seeking a solution accordingly,” the FPM leader noted.

He stressed that the decision to engage in dialogue with the long-time rival “is not an adventure.”

“Its success depends on the intentions of the parties engaged in dialogue,” added Aoun.

“The dialogue initiative was launched by Geagea and we welcomed it,” he revealed.

Noting that the two parties are “seeking to overcome a difficult situation,” Aoun underlined that all Lebanese parties “have a duty to try” engaging in dialogue to find solutions to the country's complicated crises.

Elaborating on the topics of his dialogue with Geagea, Aoun added: “We must defend the rights of Christians and we're concerned with the other issues just like all the Lebanese.”

As for the venue of the anticipated dialogue, Aoun said that it “has not been decided yet.”

“There are several dialogue topics, such as the rights of Christians in the political arena, the electoral law, the presidential vote and the characteristics of the president. There will also be other topics that are of concern to us and to citizens,” he added.

“We'll talk about the republic and the rights of Christians before we tackle the issue of the presidency,” Aoun revealed.

He underscored that the next president must be able to “represent all the Lebanese people.”

The president “should be able to address the political system's other problems. The president must endorse reform and change in his governance approach,” added Aoun.

“We can take care of our house on our own and our strength lies in our unity, not in our foreign relations,” the FPM leader stated.

Commenting on the issue of Saudi Arabia's stance on the presidential race, Aoun said he “heard from Lebanese officials” that Riyadh “does not want” him to become president.

“They have their reasons,” Aoun added, noting that he is not aware of them.

“I only want friendship with the Arab countries and we don't side with anyone against anyone. My relation with the Saudi ambassador was and is still good and I cannot interpret these contradictions towards me,” he went on to say.

MP Ibrahim Kanaan of the FPM is holding talks with LF media officer Melhem Riachi to prepare for the agenda of the Aoun-Geagea dialogue.

“The meeting between Aoun and Geagea will be held soon,” Kanaan announced on Friday, citing progress in the preparations.

He described the general atmosphere as “positive.”

Both Aoun and Geagea have announced their candidacies for the presidency. Their differences, in addition to the rivalry between the March 8 and 14 alliances, have left the presidential post vacant.

President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May.

Y.R.