Gemayel Says Presidential Void Threatens Republic

Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel called on Sunday for an end to the open-ended national crisis, considering the presidential elections a danger that is threatening the republic.

“We should avert Lebanon's degradation and the collapse of the Arab” nation, Gemayel stressed on Sunday, wondering what is preventing the Lebanese from resolving their national crisis if they abide by the Constitution and elected a new head of state.

“Obstructing the Constitution constitutes a coup against the system and contradicts the Lebanese entity,” the Christian leader pointed out.

He called on the “partners in the nation to reveal their true intentions... as loyalty to Lebanon compels the election of a new head of state... the failure to end the vacuum reveals the true intentions of those who are impeding” the polls.

Lebanon has been without a president since May last year when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the election.

Hizbullah's Loyalty to the Resistance and Aoun's Change and Reform bloc have been boycotting the electoral sessions over the sharp differences.