LF, FPM Sources Downplay Reports of Imminent Geagea-Aoun Presidential Deal
Sources from both the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces on Friday played down reports of an imminent visit by FPM leader MP Michel Aoun to Maarab with the aim of striking a presidential deal with LF chief Samir Geagea.
“There are no negotiations with the FPM as being reported, but rather ongoing talks ever since the Declaration of Intent was signed, and reports in this regard are exaggerated,” an LF source told MTV.
An FPM source meanwhile told the TV network that “dialogue with the LF is still ongoing and reports limiting it to certain dates are inaccurate.”
Quoting sources from both parties, MTV said “a visit by Aoun to Maarab is possible any moment but it is neither scheduled not imminent.”
“This visit will not happen in the next few days but it might occur later, in light of the political developments in general and the presidential developments in particular,” the sources said, according to MTV.
An Nahar daily had reported Thursday that successive contacts are taking place between senior LF and FPM officials to arrange for a meeting between the parties' heads.
The meeting between Geagea and Aoun is set to take place in Maarab, added the daily.
It said that Geagea is likely to support the nomination of Aoun if a session is scheduled to elect Marada leader MP Suleiman Franjieh as president.
Geagea would prefer Aoun over Franjieh for the post of president, said the daily, because the two men "have something in common and had earlier signed a Declaration of Intent in a bid to ease tensions on the Christian and national scenes."
Both Geagea and Aoun are candidates for the presidency. Their rivalry, in addition to other issues, have left Baabda Palace vacant since president Michel Suleiman's six-year tenure ended in May 2014.
Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri had recently launched an initiative proposing the nomination of Franjieh for the presidency.
The nomination has been met with reservations from the Kataeb Party, the FPM and the LF.
Y.R.
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