Suleiman More Lenient on 2-3 Year 'Renewal' of his Mandate
President Michel Suleiman prefers to renew his mandate rather than extend it, well-informed diplomatic sources told As Safir newspaper published on Friday.
The sources quoted Suleiman as telling his French counterpart Francois Hollande in September that he rejects the extension of his term, even for a day.
“But if the Lebanese want to keep me in my post to avoid the vacuum in all state institutions, then I am ready to carry out this mission on condition that it goes through Constitutional channels,” Suleiman allegedly said.
He meant by it the amendment of the Constitution and then his election by the 128-member parliament.
The sources told As Safir that Suleiman has also confirmed to some of his advisers that he was ready for the renewal of his term for two to three years “but not at the expense of my dignity.”
The daily said that a visit by Hollande to Saudi Arabia at the end of this month could facilitate the push to avoid vacuum in Lebanon's top post.
It added that Paris along with the U.S. have taken the initiative to resolve the crisis.
Suleiman's six-year term ends in May 2014 but there are fears that differences between the rival March 8 and 14 alliances would lead to a further clash among the MPs and prevent them from heading to parliament to elect a new president.
The 60-day Constitutional deadline for the election of a new president starts on March 25.
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