Report: Stances Rejecting Franjieh's Nomination Delay Hariri's Return

Head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri was expected to return to Lebanon to follow up on the presidential developments but the step could be delayed, al-Mustaqbal daily reported on Sunday.

Hariri was expected to make a return to Lebanon, either on Tuesday or Wednesday, to follow up on the political settlement that could see Marada leader MP Suleiman Franjieh officially nominated for the top state post, the daily added.

However, the stances of Christian parties rejecting the nomination of Franjieh have pushed Hariri to delay the visit, said the daily.

The Marada chief has emerged as a potential presidential candidate as part of a greater settlement aimed at ending the political deadlock in Lebanon.

There are however voices of dissent among the Kataeb Party, Lebanese Forces, and Change and Reform bloc over the nomination of Franjieh.

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.

Hariri had last paid a visit to Beirut in February to mark the tenth anniversary of his father's assassination.