Report: Jumblat Heads to Paris for Presidential Poll Talks with Hariri

Head of the Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblat is expected to travel to the French capital Paris soon in order to hold talks with Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri over the presidential elections, reported As Safir newspaper on Saturday.

It said that Jumblat is expected to inquire about the details of the rapprochement between the Mustaqbal and the Free Patriotic Movement of MP Michel Aoun.

The PSP chief's trip was also prompted by Aoun's recent remarks that he seeks to form an “integrated triangle between his party, Hizbullah, and the Mustaqbal Movement.”

The statements threaten Jumblat's efforts as a centrist aimed at bridging the divide between various rival powers, explained As Safir.

The “integrated triangle” remark sparked controversy in Lebanon as it eliminates the National Pact that calls for equal power-sharing between Muslims and Christians.

In addition, Jumblat seeks to inquire from Hariri if his discussions with the FPM also tackled the parliamentary elections, added As Safir.

Lebanon was plunged in presidential vacuum following the end of President Michel Suleiman's term on May 25.

Five presidential election sessions were held, but parliament has so far failed to elect a new head of state.

Four of the sessions were not staged due to a lack of quorum caused by a boycott of March 8 lawmakers, mainly those Hizbullah and Aoun's Change and Reform bloc, over the ongoing dispute with the March 14 alliance on a presidential candidate.

While the March 14 coalition publicly announced backing Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in his presidential race, Aoun said he aspires to become a consensual nominee and garner the support of the Mustaqbal bloc.

M.T.

D.A.