Hariri Says Baabda Palace Vacuum Amounts to 'Treason'
Al-Mustaqbal Movement chief Saad Hariri on Friday described the presidential vacuum as a “treason,” urging lawmakers to exercise their right in electing a new head of state.
“The MPs should exercise their right to elect a president,” said Hariri following talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki.
“The vacuum in the presidency is tantamount to treason of the Constitution,” he said.
The lawmaker and former premier stressed that the election of a president is “essential.”
Baabda Palace has been vacant since the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014.
Differences between the rival parties have caused lack of quorum at more than 30 parliamentary sessions aimed at electing a head of state.
The next session is set for March 2.
“One of three candidates should be elected and we will congratulate the person” chosen by the parliament, said Hariri.
The Mustaqbal chief is backing Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh for the country's top Christian post.
The two other candidates are Free Patriotic Movement founder and Change and Reform bloc chief Michel Aoun, and MP Henri Helou from the Democratic Gathering bloc of Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat.
Hariri returned to Beirut last Sunday. He has since called for the “democratic game to take its course” while holding onto Franjieh's candidacy.
Hariri's remarks in Bkikri drew the ire of Change and Reform MP Ibrahim Kanaan, who said: “The Constitution and the National Pact go hand in hand.”
“Their separation like what happened 25 years ago in Christian posts is tantamount to the treason of the Constitution and the National Pact,” he added.
The Change and Reform MPs are among lawmakers not attending the sessions aimed at electing a president under the excuse that there is a need for consensus on a single candidate.
From Bkirki, Hariri headed to the northern city of Tripoli to attend Friday prayers led by Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Malek al-Shaar at al-Siddiq Mosque.
After the prayers, Shaar held a lunch banquet in Hariri's honor.
In a speech he delivered, Shaar stressed that Lebanon is passing through a difficult stage and that sectarian rhetoric is rejected.
For his part, Hariri stressed: “We will continue the path with our candidate for the presidency MP Franjieh. Those who are keen on preserving the Christians must not obstruct the presidential elections.
“We are a democratic state and those hindering the election of a president are mainly paralyzing the country and the top Christian state post.”
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