Report: Paris to Discuss Presidential Hurdle with Iran
French sources following up closely on the Lebanese presidential file said that France will likely discuss the thorny issue with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during his visit to the French capital slated for January 28, the pan-Arab al-Hayat daily reported on Sunday.
“Paris will raise the subject of the Lebanese presidency with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during his visit to France in January, without showing that it is posing a requirement on Iran so that the Iranian side does not raise the price,” the daily said quoting French sources.
Paris will state to Iran that “the current Lebanese candidates for the top state post are close friends to Iran's allies and it is therefore better not to be dragged behind the divisions among Christians, which the Iranian side is constantly doing,” according to the daily.
“France will tell the Iranian side that the candidate with the majority of votes will win the presidential elections when the parliament holds a session. In all cases , the winner is a friend of the Iranian side, so what is the need for obstruction?” they noted.
Lebanon has been without a president since the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014.
Conflicts among the rival March 8 and March 14 camps have thwarted attempts aiming at electing a successor.
Change and Reform MP Michel Aoun of the March 8 and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea of the March 14 are both candidates for the presidency.
Furthermore, an initiative by Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri suggested the nomination of Marada chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency.
The new nomination of Franjieh, of the March 8, has been met with reservations from the Kataeb Party, the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces.
Reports said lately that LF chief Samir Geaega is willing to nominate Aoun if al-Mustabqal insists on Franjieh's nomination.
Source: Naharnet
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