Naharnet

March 8 Officials Persuading Hizbullah to Drop Support for Aoun

March 8 alliance officials are seeking to convince Hizbullah to back Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh for the country's top Christian post, the Kuwaiti al-Seyassah newspaper reported on Monday.

The officials, who were not identified, are exerting efforts to persuade Hizbullah to drop its support for Free Patriotic Movement chief lawmaker Michel Aoun, it said.

According to the officials, Franjieh has better chances to be elected as head of state after he received the backing of al-Mustaqbal Movement chief ex-PM Saad Hariri.

Hariri announced his backing for Franjieh late last year. His announcement was followed by a rapprochement between Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and Aoun.

Geagea withdrew from the presidential race saying he backed Aoun instead.

Hizbullah is beginning to realize that its efforts to bring its top ally to Baabda Palace are facing obstacles, said al-Seyassah.

But it has not yet reached a decision to end its support for Aoun, the newspaper added.

G.K.

D.A.


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