Report: Christians 'Uncomfortable with Muslims Naming President' as Franjieh to Meet al-Rahi

Bishop Samir Mazloum stressed that Maronite patriarchate does not back a specific presidential candidate, adding that it “does not have a veto against anyone”, reported As Safir newspaper on Thursday.

He told the daily that Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh, who is a potential nominee, is close to the church and “has the characteristics that qualify him to become president.”

“The four main Christian leaders in Lebanon have these characteristics and we will support whoever enjoys the majority,” he explained.

Meanwhile, a prominent Christian source in the March 14 alliance expressed to As Safir their “unease” with the manner in which Franjieh is being nominated.

“The method has created unease among Christians in general, Maronites in particular, especially after it appeared that Muslim powers hold sway in naming candidates,” it said.

He stressed that Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea eliminated the idea of choosing a candidate from among the main Christian leaders when he announced in June that he is ready to withdraw his presidential nomination in favor of a consensual candidate.

Mazloum remarked however that the four Christian figures had agreed during their meetings, held under the sponsorship of Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, that they are all potential presidential candidates.

The figures are Geagea, Franjieh, Change and Reform bloc chief Michel Aoun, and Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel.

Amid the debate on Franjieh's nomination, the Marada chief is expected to hold talks with al-Rahi on Friday to address the presidential elections.

Al-Mustaqbal daily Thursday said that the two officials will be holding a meeting in the “upcoming hours.”

The lawmaker met on Wednesday night with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, who announced that Franjieh is qualified to be a “compromise president” as the former stressed that his possible nomination will not affect the unity of the March 8 camp.

“Walid Jumblat was the first figure who nominated me for the presidency in Lebanon and we will be on the same course in this period,” said Franjieh.

“My nomination has not become official until the moment and I believe that ex-PM (Saad) Hariri is 100% honest in his support for me and that he was serious in everything he said,” he added.

He was referring to a Paris meeting with Hariri last month that has sparked intense speculation that the two leaders agreed to Franjieh's nomination for the presidency. Hariri has also met in the French capital with Jumblat and Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel.

Hariri has meanwhile tasked his advisors in “expanding their contacts, which will include Bkirki," reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday.

They will hold talks with al-Rahi as soon as he returns to Lebanon from abroad and ahead of Friday's Maronite Bishops Council meeting.