Mashnouq: Franjieh Still Hariri's Candidate, Security Situation Very Good

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq noted Friday that al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri has not given up his nomination of Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the country's presidency, as he reassured that the security situation in Lebanon is very good.

“Communication over the presidential issue is still ongoing,” Mashnouq said after a visit to Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut Elias Audi.

“He is still holding onto the nomination of MP Suleiman Franjieh but this nomination is aimed at reaching an understanding with others, not confronting them,” he added.

Asked whether Hariri's initiative has run into a dead end, Mashnouq said such a hypothesis is “premature and inaccurate,” while admitting that “the regional developments have delayed the elections.”

“Let us wait and see. I'm not pessimistic over this issue and I believe that the storm we're facing will soon calm down, allowing the debate to return to normal,” the minister added.

In remarks to al-Akhbar newspaper published Friday, Mashnouq had stressed that the security agencies have the security situation in Lebanon “under control.”

He told the daily: “The security situation is very good.”

“The agencies are performing their duties to the utmost,” he stressed in wake of the regional tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

“It is natural for the regional circumstances to affect the security situation,” remarked Mashnouq.

Tensions between the two countries spilled over on Saturday when the kingdom executed prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on “terrorism” charges.

The dispute prompted both sides to sever diplomatic ties, while several Arab countries have followed suit by cutting ties with Iran.

M.T./Y.R.