Shehayyeb Meets Franjieh, Says Communication Can Dissipate Objections over His Nomination
Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb held talks Monday with Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh in Bnashii and noted that “communication” among the various parties can dissipate the objections that surfaced in recent days over the latter's presidential nomination.
The visit had been scheduled “prior to the issue of the presidency and the seriousness of the settlement,” Shehayyeb said after the talks, noting that he was in Zgharta for a Middle East Airlines-sponsored forestation project.
“Hopefully the election of a president will be the holidays gift to the Lebanese,” the minister added, describing Franjieh as a “key national figure who belongs to a major political family.”
“All Lebanese agree on the need to protect Lebanon,” Shehayyeb, who is close to Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, went on to say.
He said there is “great hope” that the proposed presidential settlement would reach a happy ending “as soon as possible.”
“If some objections have been voiced from here or there, I believe that communication can find solutions to everything and dialogue is essential amid the Arab-regional rapprochement over this initiative,” Shehayyeb added.
A Paris meeting last month between Franjieh and al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri was behind launching the current momentum in the country regarding the presidential elections.
The talks sparked intense speculation about a possible settlement that might open the doors of the Baabda Palace for Franjieh.
Hariri has also met in Paris with Jumblat and Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel.
Jumblat has meanwhile met with Franjieh in Beirut, promising to exert efforts to support his presidential nomination.
Several Christian parties from both the March 8 and March 14 camps have voiced objections or reservations over Franjieh's nomination, such as the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb Party and the Free Patriotic Movement.
Y.R.
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