Bassil reportedly threatens to back Geagea if Hezbollah backs Aoun

Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil has warned Hezbollah against supporting Army chief Joseph Aoun for the presidency, local media outlet al-Jadeed reported.

Al-Jadeed said Thursday it had learned from a parliamentary source that Bassil told Amal and Hezbollah he'd back Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea if they accept to support Aoun.

Geagea had said last month that he might run for the presidency if he could secure enough political support. Bassil said in an interview with al-Joumhouria earlier this week that Geagea enjoys popularity among Christians which can make him a legitimate president and that he doesn't mind supporting him if he can unite the Lebanese. He said he preferred him over Aoun and Hezbollah candidate Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has called for parliament to convene on January 9 to elect a president, in an attempt to break a gridlock of over two years and reactivate the country's crippled state institutions. Media reports said French, Saudi and U.S. delegations visiting Lebanon this week will push for the election of Aoun.

Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022, with neither of the two main blocs -- Hezbollah and its opponents -- having the majority required to elect one, and unable to reach a consensus.

Aoun has good relations with groups across the political spectrum, including with Hezbollah, as well as with various foreign countries but is often criticized by Hezbollah and its allies for his U.S. ties, the main financial backer of Lebanon's army.

Aoun traveled last week to Saudi Arabia at an invitation from his Saudi counterpart. Al-Jadeed said the presidential file was discussed in the meetings in KSA.

The United States, France, and Saudi Arabia, have been working for months to facilitate the election of a president, along with Qatar and Egypt.