Bassil urges Christian agreement on president, says Doha has no candidates

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has revealed that the Qatari delegation that visited Lebanon had stressed that Doha “has no candidates.”

Qatar rather supports “the idea of having a program and a roadmap,” Bassil said in an interview with al-Joumhouria newspaper, noting that “an integrated plan consists of a president, a premiers and a rescue plan.”

“They did not propose names nor bargains. They rather explained their vision, which calls for the election of a president for Lebanon,” Bassil added, pointing out that “the election of a president does not solve the problem” of the country.

As for his deteriorating relation with Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, the FPM chief described it as “frozen” because there are “two different approaches.”

“We don’t want the presidency but we won’t endorse a candidate who would aggravate the crisis. I don’t work as a house boy for anyone, I rather work for Lebanon and the FPM,” Bassil added.

Calling for “an agreement among the strong Christian parties” over the new president, Bassil reiterated that he has offered a “major concession” by not nominating himself for the post.

“There are other names in the country other than Suleiman Franjieh and we have also rejected (Michel) Mouawad. The issue with Franjieh is not personal, knowing that Mouawad was with us in the bloc and we also rejected him and knowing that I personally have an interest in Franjieh’s election,” the FPM chief added.

“But there is no interest for the country in his election,” he said.

“To the contrary, I will be pleased if he gets elected and I will laugh, but I know that that will not be in the country’s interest,” Bassil went on to say, noting that he has been offered “guarantees and promises” to endorse Franjieh’s nomination.

Moreover, the FPM chief said: “There are many figures who are capable of communicating with Syria and Hezbollah other than Franjieh and the issue should not be limited to one person.”

“We will keep working and we will not announce a name in order not to harm his chances. Others have proposed Michel Mouawad and what has been the result?” Bassil added.

“Our efforts are clear. We’re not part of any camp. We will seek to reach a candidate who would add a work plan to our agreement,” the FPM chief said, revealing that he is “working on agreement” with several “figures and MPs.”

Asked about calling on the FPM’s supporters to organize street protests, Bassil said: “If intransigence continues, if Riad Salameh is not held accountable, if no political reforms are passed in parliament, if they don’t agree to the IMF’s demands and if they don’t want to agree on a president, it will be normal to tell the FPM to be ready to take to the streets.”