March 8 Camp Gearing Up to Discuss Presidential Elections

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

The March 8 coalition is set to launch discussions over the upcoming presidential elections to coordinate the stances of the parties affiliated in the alliance.

According to al-Akhbar newspaper published on Thursday, Hizbullah is preparing for a meeting for the party's secretary-general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, AMAL movement chief Speaker Nabih Berri, and leader of the Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun.

The newspaper said that the meeting aims at mulling their stances over the presidency polls and to agree on their candidate.

President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends in May but the Constitution states that the parliament should choose a new head of state within a two-month period, which started on March 25.

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea was the first to announce last week that he will run for the presidency.

Lebanese media have in recent weeks identified other presidential hopefuls as Kataeb party leader and ex-president Amin Gemayel, MPs Boutros Harb and Robert Ghanem, who are like Geagea members of the March 14 anti-Syria movement.

Other potential candidates are Hizbullah allies Aoun and Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh.

Lebanese presidents are always chosen from the Christian Maronite community.

- H. K.

- G. K.

Comments 41
Missing beirutbastard00 10 April 2014, 09:14

if making aoun president and bringing saad back allowes us to move on already, im all for it.

this guy will not die untill he gets the seat, let him have it, its useless anyway. can we drill for oil and let salameh handle the treasury plzzzzzz???

Missing mar1 10 April 2014, 10:08

Agreed 10000%

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 10:44

BB, I understand your position on this, but to be honest, it would be a lot better if the old man Aoun stays out of the presidency. If because of his age old whims and caprices we must sacrifice 4 million plus Lebanese and 14 million more abroad, then I am one who will continue resisting him and his entourage of M8 allies to the hilt. Aoun has a chequered past, is unstable, has no consistency but in fabrications and lies, and I am truly afraid that if Aoun takes the seat, he will sell Lebanon to both Iran and Syria, and voila, forget Lebanon for good. Have you forgotten the facilitation job he has been doing for Hezbollah for years now? Who is selling our lands but him? Who is blocking entire residential areas just to lower and sell our lands? Please bro, no way for Aoun, no way.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 12:19

Brother FT, if I, as a sane citizen of Lebanon, enjoying his full faculty of senses refuse a man like Aoun, why would I give any hints that I favor another man that I deem as bad as Aoun, his arch enemy and nemesis Geagea? You do know my good brother that I am LF right up to the bone marrow, maybe at some stage some may suspect that I may harbor some inner sympathy for a candidate that is deemed LF, but that's not the case. I am fully conscious that neither Aoun nor Geagea fit the bill, far from that. They are both divisive and anyone of them does not enjoy any broad support across the political spectrum, if for anything anyone of them will only perpetuate the grave ills they've both caused to us Christians and Lebanese in general. It is high time that we take our courage in both hands, and accept finally that change is inevitable if we Lebanese wish to have a future in this country of ours.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 12:40

Thanks brother FT, which is what I cannot understand, why as Lebanese, knowing this fully well, why can't we have such professionals like Demianos Kattar or Ziad Baroud be placed upfront as candidates? Both are known to be people of high integrity and of a very high caliber of professionalism and patriotism, therefore thus being the case, especially our knowing that with such people we would be breaking away from our past of miseries, why can't we have clear consensus to have these people, or people similar to them as potential candidates, instead of Aoun or Geagea? The old school is of a bygone, it's the new school that holds promises, not the old one. As Lebanese, we are producing the finest people around, people that are of exceptional value and real assets to the nation, why keep getting locked in people I consider as well below average? Either we move upwards, or God forgive us for repeating our same old sins.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 14:40

Thank you Roaring Wolf, or better known as Bani Maarouf. Lest I say more coz you ain't worth my time.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 14:43

FT, you're right here, if we want new blood like Baroud or Kattar, then the slate needs to be cleaned in full, otherwise the hog will remain flea infested.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 15:37

Roaring Wolf, whether you like it or not makes no difference. I've seen you before on this forum, your style is unmistakable as is your hatred. here I am, posting my mind and without inferring on anyone poster of this forum, and here you are as usual picking on people and labeling them with things that reside only in your mind. What I say does give you discomfort, but you'll have to live with it anyway, but as I said, you are another skeleton who was taken from a closet, you know, just to inconvene people you don't like. I've seen how you interject, always the same way of debasing people, but you see, if I am replying to you is simply because to tell you that you are not new here, just a name change but the old character of your is intact. You should try a lot harder chum, just be serene and debate like normal people do. Those you mentioned are real and decent people, not you though. Learn from a few facts of life.

Default-user-icon yes (Guest) 10 April 2014, 10:45

Agree!! he already brought the country on its knees to get the seat. Let him have it already he won, mabrouk.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 10:49

Even though the Hariri dynasty is not my most favorable, they are corrupt and have an appetite for Sunni radicalism, but in all truth, these people have shown a lot more good for the nation than Aoun and Hezbollah. When the late Rafic Hariri was in command, at least the country felt like living in prosperity, business was flourishing and Lebanon felt that it was part of the international community. Under the helmsmanship of the M8 camp, Lebanon now looks truly isolated, again a land of many conflicts. They have singlehandedly crippled the economy, brought us from one madness to the other, brought up several laws that are not even fit for the jungle. If Saad Hariri wants the PM post, it's fine by me, but Aoun should now retire for good, enough of his falseness, it can be detected from the ISS.

Thumb cedre 10 April 2014, 19:02

'they are corrupt and have an appetite for Sunni radicalism'

LOL, says a guy that venerates saint Bechir, a famous murderer, a little racist scum that was racketeering the ports and controlling the drug business of afghan heroin...

Do i need to remind u when Jean Michel Gemayel got arrested in Italy with 1kg of pure heroin and told the judge that phalangists send him to get weapons ? I understand now why u respect NasrIran, u took back the phalangists drug business...

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 21:18

Cedre, several people called you a radical, this post of yours confirmed what I refused to accept, that you are indeed a radical, maybe even a Salafist or a Takfiri. But Cedre, do your best not to start using your other closet skeletons, that game has now become too old, and way too stale, if you know what I mean. No matter what you wish to do as of now, rest assured that we are serene, just try to do the same.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 21:18

Cedre, several people called you a radical, this post of yours confirmed what I refused to accept, that you are indeed a radical, maybe even a Salafist or a Takfiri. But Cedre, do your best not to start using your other closet skeletons, that game has now become too old, and way too stale, if you know what I mean. No matter what you wish to do as of now, rest assured that we are serene, just try to do the same.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 21:21

FT, don't worry about Cedre anymore, when feathers fly off, bare skin remains, now I can see what he really is, one more skeleton from a dank drawer or closet. I will not bother debating him, but will continue to post all the same, and in the same manner as always. Today has been evident that some are doing their best concerted efforts to derail the conversation in the hope that some will get banned. I refused to believe what some fellow posters have labelled him, as a radical Takfiri, but today he has proven it, but no sentiments anyway, life moves on, and those like him should remain suspended in eternal animation.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 21:27

Cedre, Sayed Hassan Nasrallah is just too big for your mouth, even if you don't like the man, at least respect him for he represents a sizable proportion of Lebanese society. Keep your cool, don't let your nerves get you out of control, you are simmering and I feel that the bomb belt around your waist will blow up any moment. This for you dear man is just a forum, a forum intended to represent opinion from all sides of the divide. If you cannot but vent such an anger, or when it is convenient you you resurrect another skeleton from your closets, then take it from me, that's right, the guy who worships the man you cannot fathom, that it's not worth the anger, bad for your health, and it can keep you sleepless till past 6 AM. It's just a debate, that's all, wou ma fo chi mo7rez ya saby.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 21:28

Cedre, Sayed Hassan Nasrallah is just too big for your mouth, even if you don't like the man, at least respect him for he represents a sizable proportion of Lebanese society. Keep your cool, don't let your nerves get you out of control, you are simmering and I feel that the bomb belt around your waist will blow up any moment. This for you dear man is just a forum, a forum intended to represent opinion from all sides of the divide. If you cannot but vent such an anger, or when it is convenient you you resurrect another skeleton from your closets, then take it from me, that's right, the guy who worships the man you cannot fathom, that it's not worth the anger, bad for your health, and it can keep you sleepless till past 6 AM. It's just a debate, that's all, wou ma fo chi mo7rez ya saby.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 21:48

Roar ya akhi, take a good look, posters with different names, but hate of the same nature. But as you said, the dust that comes out of Bachir's boot is worth them all haters. That's what bothers them, they know they are not worth one of that dust, from under his shoes, and that is a tough reality to live with, for them.

Thumb cedre 11 April 2014, 02:17

U can deny all u want, the old pierre, bechir, jean michel, almost all the family was in control of the drug business. Its well documented, google is ur friend...

Funny that when one criticizes the LF, he becomes a takfiri or dirzi...LOL

Thumb -phoenix1 11 April 2014, 13:06

Cedre, you are definitely a Sunni radical, no doubt. But about the Gemayels, in particular Bachir, if it was not for him, you my dear Cedre would be living out of Lebanon and as a refugee, and you know why? because your dear Palestinian friends would have owned it thanks to Henry Kissinger's plan, so you would have been either a refugee in your own land, or kicked out of it for good. If you still can refer to Lebanon, that's because a man called Bachir Gemayel made it possible for you. But you are a blind person, blinded and obliterated by sheer fanaticism and because of that you will always refuse the truth. How silly you sound when you accuse so blindly. I though you had more intelligence, but a Salafist has no brains anyway.

Thumb cedre 11 April 2014, 18:20

i live out of lebanon my dear...

Thumb lebnanfirst 10 April 2014, 11:19

While one can appreciate the palpable frustration felt by all Lebanese, and especially the Lebanese Christians, regarding the marginalization of the Christian sect as a whole and the main Christian position in government in particular, I for one believe that the persistence of the status quo for us Christians is preferable to having Aoun as president.
Aoun sold out his principles for the lust of the "kirsi" and as such is not fit to ever be president. The man pandered to all of Lebanon's enemies in his quest to become president and in the process dragged us Lebanese to economic and cultural ruin. Was it not for his providing HA with a Christian fig leaf, HA might have long ago abandoned its hegemonies tendencies. Aoun has single handedly managed to destroy the aspirations of our nation.

Thumb FlameCatcher 10 April 2014, 12:51

FT, Roar, swallow it already ! NO GEAGEA, NO AOUN !

This is final... move on from your stone age civil war era you seem to be stuck in and accept the fact your man is no better than any other man and does not bring anything to the country or its people !

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 14:46

FT, this Roaring Wolf is none other than bani maarouf, aka Ibinharthhreik, aka, HD, aka Sit Beni Zeinab, Ibinbinladen. Somehow he/she keeps letting her Wolf's paw under the door using that same color. Why bother about the multiplier, just let's move on bro.

Thumb FlameCatcher 10 April 2014, 16:15

@FT: Who I am is irrelevant :)

The question is who is Aoun and who is Geagea... those are 2 people that drive you crazy (positively for one and negatively for the other). But you have no idea who they are. You believe you know but you know BS !

And yes, clinging to Aoun means you belong to the stone age. You also happen to believe women should stay at home and take care of children which reinforces this point !

So if you want to have a grownup discussion, talk about the future, not the past. Neither Aoun or Geagea or Hezbollah have anything to bring to our future !

Missing aoun-the-liar 10 April 2014, 13:56

Content of letter signed by him and sent to the Saudis:
- Hariri Prime Minister
- All UN Security Council Resolutions respected and applied
- Peace process with israel
- Bring the Hezb to the peace process
- Disarm the Hezb
- Guarantee Geagea as next president

The letter is in the good hands of the Wahhabis: the traditional ennemies...
Same speech with Amriiika....

But this man is a LOSER. He will NEVER be president.

Missing aoun-the-liar 10 April 2014, 14:05

He has done the same thing in 2007 with Israel through General Fyaez Karam...only to denounce him later on and say that he betrayed by Karam...what a liar.

Keep following the dirtiest man that have ever existed...

PS: for your knowledge, the Hezb will never ever give him the support...because they KNOW him perfectly well

He will explode when he will fail...

remember these words: his nerves are unable to withstand the shock!!

Missing aoun-the-liar 10 April 2014, 14:07

Another info:
The word has come from Syria for an integral support to Sleiman Frangieh.

Missing cedars 10 April 2014, 14:13

Get a general from the army and appoint him president. All these politicians are USELESS and will sell Lebanon for 20 bucks.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 14:41

Cedars, I would also second that, on second thought.

Missing aoun-the-liar 10 April 2014, 14:14

ya 7aram!!!! Ma fi brain abadan!!!

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 14:48

Nah, no Aoun ya Karim, no Geagea, just a new blood.

Thumb FlameCatcher 10 April 2014, 17:10

@Roar : You're worried about Baroud being "torn to pieces" ? What a nice choice of words from a Hezbollah lover...

How about when Hezbollah has torn Hariri, Tueini, Kassir, and tens more to pieces ?

Yes to new blood, and no to any Christian Hezbollah supporter!

The new president's role should be to strengthen the army and abolish Hezbollah's weapons !

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 15:42

Hi brother Roar,

Well, I do admit you got me cornered here and if I am to be honest then I'd say that I am not in complete disagreement here with you. But then Roar, what do we do, Baroud was minister, maybe he was not torn to shreds, because I saw how this guy can stand up for himself, so what I am saying is this: Let us make the jump, as Christians and as Lebanese who have taken leading roles in society. Then with Saad Hariri, he is new blood, thus it confirms that our Sunni siblings too have that kind of courage to bring in new blood. Maybe Saad was too soft then, but is he still soft now? I believe that comes the time when a difficult decision needs to be made, but hey Roar, I enjoyed the debate bro and will stand up for you anytime.

Thumb lebnanfirst 10 April 2014, 16:21

As Lebanese Christians we must be the ones to lead by example. Political reality and maneuvering in Lebanese politics notwithstanding, it is encumber upon us to show the way forward lest we forever get stuck in the past and never have a chance to pull ourselves and our country forward.
Though understandable, Baroud's caviar about change being implemented across the board, I respectfully disagree. It is not necessarily that change across all sects in Lebanon is what is required as much as a positive and deterministic change amongst us Christians of Lebanon in that we should demonstrate that we can support different candidates for president but in the end when one is elected we rally around him as is the case in all other democracies.
If the Christians can demonstrate such patriotic unity, it matters little whether the other sects have oligarchs or not. My two cents worth.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 17:40

Respects Roar, let's keep the faith bro. Baroud is a good man, and so are you. God is great bro, we shall prevail.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 17:54

(1). Southern, dear brother, I subscribe to your opinion, these new names are indeed old posters. It's easy to know them, one was posting as Profile, but as I said, they are easy to detect, the hatred in them is all too common and their only intent is to derail people, get them angry to the point they'd get banned. let's just ignore their hateful rants and continue to debate as do civilized people. Let's make them all understand that despite our political differences, we remain and shall remain Lebanese and one people. Brother Southern, please write this for posterity: You are my Shiite brother, I am your Maronite brother. You support Hezbollah, I support the LF, no matter what, we shall remain brothers.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 17:55

(2). Southern. Whether they like it or not, most of the Lebanese people are like you and me, NOT dictated by hatred or suspicion but by the greater picture, Lebanon. I will be your keeper, and you will be mine. God is greater than them all, and Lebanon is greater than them all. Just let's continue, despite our divergences, the day will come when the truth will emerge.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 17:58

FT, brother, read what I posted to Southern, forget them all, if there was any fairness, the Mods should be banning those provocateurs by excellence, not you bro, but them. Just keep calm and cool, post your views, were are not here to concur with all of opinions, that belongs to mental hospitals, not forums. Just let's keep it clean and neat, and let's keep our voices strong, no matter what. Let them down thumb, let's just remain above them all.

Missing people-power 10 April 2014, 19:18

Why do you spend 24/7 commenting here if it's not for discussion, and you keep getting censored?

Missing people-power 10 April 2014, 21:43

Fifi... just admit it that you are a paid propagandist. It is so obvious!

1. You criticize this website constantly.
2. You complain that your comments will get voted down and banned.
3. You call Naharnet an "M14 propaganda outlet"

If you don't like Naharnet, why don't you take a hike?

You are not looking for a discussion, because all you do is insult M14 commenters, and try to dispute any comment that is pro-M14.

You also post more comments than anyone else here. I can understand M14ers who comment a lot here, because they like this website. But since this is an "M14 propaganda outlet", it doesn't explain why you are here 24/7/365????

You are also a liar. It is impossible for you to have a real full-time job, and also at the same time post as many comments as you do. This is your job, and you are paid propagandist. And a lame one at that.

Thumb -phoenix1 10 April 2014, 21:44

Right on Roar, Obeid is a good guy, why was he not mentioned also? I like the man, he has integrity. Could be one great candidate.