Franjieh Says Either Way Future President is a March 8

Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh stated on Sunday that the most important accomplishment is that the future president will be elected from the March 8 camp whether it was founder of the Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun or himself.

“The most important accomplishment has been achieved. The president will be elected from our (March 8) group and we must not lose that whether it was Aoun elected or Suleiman Franjieh,” said the MP via Skype addressing his Marada supporters in Australia.

“My political positions have not changed, but there are some pressing external circumstances that we must handle,” he added.

Highlighting his endorsement for the post of presidency by al-Mustaqbal movement chief MP Saad Hariri the MP said: “New friendships may lead to political understandings. Sooner or later, the Lebanese will have no alternative but dialogue.

“We as the Marada movement have always taken the decision to maintain openness, dialogue and build mutual convictions despite all the differences. Our talks with Saad Hariri have shown us that there are common grounds,” he concluded saying.

Franjieh's comments came after reports alleged that a “serious” suggestion has emerged to elect Aoun as president for a period of two years.

The reports also said that two unnamed major political officials have approved the proposal and are set to market the idea to Aoun's ally Hizbullah.

Lebanon has been without a head of state since May 2014 when the term of President Michel Suleiman ended.

The race for the top state has been confined to Change and Reform bloc chief Aoun and Franjieh. There is also centrist candidate MP Henri Helou.

However, not a single candidate is able to garner the needed votes to be elected president.

Sessions aimed at electing a head of state are being adjourned over lack of the required two-thirds quorum of the 128-member parliament.