Report: Hariri's Return Likely but Still Linked to Security
Following media reports that head of al-Mustaqbal Movement Saad Hariri will return to Lebanon for the presidential elections, prominent sources in the Movement said that the former PM's comeback is linked to the security situation in Lebanon and to the prospects of holding the elections, al-Joumhuria daily reported in Saturday.
“Prospects of Hariri's return to Beirut are likely, he announced more than once that he will be among us soon but the circumstances are not ready,” the sources said.
“Guarantees on the security situation are not available yet and another part is related to the political horizon and the prospects of electing a president. All these factors are related to Hariri's return,”they added.
On the other hand, contacts among the March 14 alliance are ongoing over the presidential elections. In that regard, adviser of al-Mustaqbal Movement leader Nader Hariri left to Riyadh to brief the former PM on the latest consultations with al-Mustaqbal bloc head Fouad Saniora, PSP leader Walid Jumblat and March 14 officials.
Saniora who is back from Jordan late Friday, took part in two-day diplomatic consultations where he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Consultations will also highlight the final stance of al-Mustaqbal regarding their candidate for the presidential elections.
Al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Samir Jisr told the Voice of Lebanon radio station on Friday that Hariri might attend next week’s parliamentary session to elect a president.
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea is so far the only official to submit his candidacy for the elections.
The March 8 camp has not yet announced its candidate.
Hariri left Lebanon in early 2011, months after the collapse of his government. He has repeatedly cited security concerns for his absence.
-D.A.
-M.T.
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