Report: Opposition won't join LF in boycotting presidential vote

Most opposition MPs do not back Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea’s stance on boycotting presidential vote sessions should Hezbollah secure 65 votes for Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh, a media report said on Thursday.

“The Progressive Socialist Party will not support Geagea and (Kataeb Party chief Sami) Gemayel in their decision to strip quorum from any session that would lead to Franjieh’s election,” Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported.

In this regard, MP Bilal Abdallah of the PSP-led Democratic Gathering bloc told the daily that they had not boycotted any session in the past and do not intend to do so in the future.

“No matter the reasons, we do not impede institutions nor the presidency, the government or parliament. We reject this approach toward any juncture, especially that the country has fully disintegrated,” Abdallah added.

The six MPs of the National Moderation bloc have also refused to block quorum, while the 12 MPs of the Change bloc have not voiced a unified stance.

“As MP Paula Yacoubian stressed that she does not oppose such an approach, MPs Najat Saliba and Melhem Khalaf -- who are staging a sit-in in parliament -- have rejected this inclination,” Asharq al-Awsat said.

MP Alain Aoun of the Free Patriotic Movement-led Strong Lebanon bloc meanwhile noted that his bloc is yet to discuss the matter. He, however, added: “Since the beginning of the voting sessions, our stance has been clear regarding participation in the sessions and refraining from impeding the presidential juncture.”