Franjieh says his presidential chances are 50/50
Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh has noted that he has met with most Arab ambassadors in Lebanon and that none of them has informed him of any negative stance regarding his presidential nomination.
“To those who consider that my presidential chances have ended I tell them no, and to those saying that my presidential chances are 100% I also tell them no. My chances are rather 50/50 and Saudi Arabia has not placed any veto on my nomination,” Franjieh said in an interview on LBCI television.
“I will not withdraw from the presidential race unless those who nominated me withdraw my nomination,” Franjieh added.
Moreover, he stressed that dialogue and consensus are necessary to reach a settlement involving everyone.
“There can be no president without a settlement,” he added.
“If I become president, I will a president for the whole of Lebanon, but I have my position and a clear history,” Franjieh went on to say.
“I have allies, but no one can impose a stance on me, and my allies do not deal in this way in the first place,” he said.
As for the controversy over the term of the army chief, Franjieh said he supports any step that protects the military institution from harm.
“My problem with the army commander is not presidential … and I’m not against extending the army chief’s term, but extension is one of many proposed choices and we must facilitate the affairs of the military institution,” he added.
He also pointed out that “Hezbollah does not have a problem with Army Commander Joseph Aoun.”
Source: Naharnet
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