Jumblat: We Will Not Withdraw Helou's Nomination for the Sake of Others
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat reiterated on Thursday his support for the nomination of MP Henri Helou for the presidency, saying that he acts as a moderate figure when compared to other nominees, reported the Egyptian daily al-Ahram.
He told the daily: “We will not withdraw Helou's nomination for the sake of others regardless of what agreements are made. This is democracy.”
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea is running for the presidency as the candidate of the March 14 alliance, while the March 8 camp's Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun said that he will only run for the post if there is consensus on his nomination.
“Geagea and Aoun are nominees, whoever wants to, can support them, but we back Helou's candidacy because he is moderate and advocates dialogue,” continued Jumblat.
Asked by the daily about Syrian President Bashar Assad's backing of Aoun's nomination, the MP replied: “It is not an honor for anyone to receive Bashar's support.”
“We will have the final word in this matter,” he said of Syria's support for the FPM leader.
Commenting on the rapprochement between Aoun and the head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri over the presidential elections, Jumblat reiterated his Democratic Gathering bloc's support for Helou.
“I have taken a centrist role. Whatever takes place between major political powers is not my concern,” he stressed.
“We are better off electing a president in order to avoid prolonged vacuum in the presidency, but I cannot predict what may happen in the future,” he replied in response to a question about the political blocs' failure to agree on a candidate.
Parliament has failed to elect a president after seven rounds of presidential elections.
Quorum was met during the first session, while the remaining six were not held due to a boycott of the majority of March 8 lawmakers due to the ongoing dispute over a presidential candidate.
Lebanon has been plunged in presidential vacuum since President Michel Suleiman's term ended on May 25.
The next presidential elections session is scheduled for July 2.
M.T.
G.K.
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