Mikati hopes Franjieh will become president

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday voiced support for the presidential bid of Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh, who enjoys the backing of Hezbollah and some of its allies.

“I have a historic relation with Suleiman Franjieh and I hope he will become president,” Mikati said in an interview with Al-Jazeera television.

“A new president must be immediately elected for the sake of the regularity of political work,” the premier added.

He pointed out that the new president must be “acceptable by everyone” and must not be “a provocative president for anyone.”

Noting that Lebanon is not under a “U.S. siege,” Mikati said he will officially “talk to Washington to inquire whether Lebanon will be subject to U.S. sanctions should it accept the Iranian oil grant.”

And reiterating that the official dollar exchange rate will be gradually raised throughout the coming months, the premier said that “a part of the crisis we are suffering from is the result of the deterioration of Lebanon’s relation with the Arab countries.”