Report: Jumblat told Berri he won't endorse Franjieh

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has told Speaker Nabih Berri that he will not endorse Suleiman Franjieh, informed sources told al-Akhbar.

The sources said, in remarks published Tuesday, that Jumblat cannot endorse a settlement without the approval of one of the two largest Christian blocs, in order to maintain the Christian-Druze ties in Mount Lebanon.

The sources went on to say that the Saudi disinterest in the Lebanese file further confused Jumblat and did not reassure him.

PSP MP Faisal al-Sayegh also told al-Anbaa news portal that the possibility of consensus on Franjieh is unlikely, as the opposition blocs will not accept a non-confrontational candidate.