Jumblat: Let us Elect 'Anyone' for Presidency...Enough with Useless Packages

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat said on Friday that Lebanon's political forces should end the conflict over the presidency and elect a head of state away from “useless packages” and illusions that foreign countries might help Lebanon to a solution.

“It is about time to end the byzantine controversy over the president and elect anyone. We have had enough of useless packages and illusions alleging that Lebanon is a priority for foreign countries,” said Jumblat via Twitter.

“There is a global chaos prevailing. That's why an internal settlement, whatever the price may be, is less pricey that to keep on waiting,” added the MP.

Referring to the risks facing Lebanon shall the vacuum at the presidential persist, he said: “Lebanon's interest is way more important that the interest of some individuals … I don't think that Hizbullah or any other powers can handle the risks of vacuum.”

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, MP Michel Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum.

Hariri's recent return to Lebanon has triggered a flurry of reports about a possible presidential settlement and the ex-PM is exploring the possibility of endorsing Aoun for the presidency in a bid to break the deadlock.

Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah.

The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.