Mashnouq Visits Geagea amid Mustaqbal-LF Tensions

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq visited Tuesday Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Maarab, amid underlying tensions between al-Mustaqbal movement and the LF.

The relations were strained between the two March 14 allies after a meeting in Paris between Mustaqbal leader ex-PM Saad Hariri and Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh of the March 8 camp.

Marada Movement leader "Suleiman Franjieh's (presidential) nomination is still limited to media reports," Mashnouq said after the Maarab talks.

"We are always in harmony over the strategic vision," Mashnouq added, referring to the ties with Geagea.

On Monday, al-Mustaqbal newspaper hit back violently at the “indirect message” that Hariri received from Geagea on Friday, when the latter urged commitment to the “principles and objectives of March 14.”

“Hariri has the motto 'Lebanon First' at the top of his objectives,” the daily said, stressing that the ex-PM does not resort to “agitation, deceit or maneuvering” in his political conduct.

On Friday, Geagea had stressed that the March 14 coalition “must not make any step unless it serves the principles and objectives of March 14.”

The remarks came amid a flurry of political talks in the country between parties from both the March 14 and March 8 camps.

The Franjieh-Hariri meeting has sparked intense speculation that they agreed to the nomination of the Marada chief for the presidency.

Y.R.