March 8, 14 Rivalries Strike Efforts to Avoid Presidential Vacuum as 52 MPs Cast Blank Votes

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Lawmakers failed to elect a new president on Wednesday, the result of rivalry between the March 8 and 14 camps as no candidate was able to garner the needed two-thirds of votes to become Lebanon's next head of state.

Speaker Nabih Berri chaired the session at noon Wednesday after 124 MPs attended it, securing the required two-thirds quorum.

But Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea received the votes of only 48 MPs while 16 lawmakers voted for Aley lawmaker Henri Helou, one for Kataeb party chief ex-President Amin Gemayel and 52 MPs cast blank ballots.

Seven votes were canceled for not being consistent with rules and regulations.

Berri set next Wednesday to hold the second round of the polls, stressing that a candidate should secure a simple majority of 65 votes to be elected.

The MPs who failed to attend the session are Saad Hariri, Oqab Saqr, Elie Aoun and Khaled al-Daher.

Geagea received the official backing of his March 14 alliance on Tuesday, but he only secured 48 votes, well below the 86 votes of the 128-member parliament, and despite the attendance of 51 MPs from the coalition.

His wife, MP Sethrida Geagea, held a short press conference, expressing surprise at the number of blank votes.

“What happened to the strong candidate they were calling for?” she asked.

She stressed that the March 14 camp was united during Wednesday's session, vowing to "remain in this battle till the end.”

“We will bless the person who wins it,” the MP said.

Helou, who was on Tuesday nominated by the leader of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblat, garnered the votes of the 16 centrist MPs in parliament.

Jumblat, a centrist, who has said that Helou is a “voice of moderation,” stressed after the session that the Aley lawmaker will remain the candidate of centrists.

Helou praised the “democratic process,” saying the voting took place without any foreign intervention.

He said the only solution to electing a new president comes through “moderation.”

An Nahar daily quoted sources as saying that Helou wasn't personally planning the announcement of his candidacy.

The MP is afraid that “the next president would be the vacuum due to the rivalries,” they said.

The sources added that he accepted Jumblat's offer because his candidacy would contribute to ending the dispute between the two camps and lead to the election of a consensual president.

The March 8 alliance on Wednesday clearly stood against Geagea's candidacy by casting blank votes. The number of protest votes cast was 52 although 57 of the coalition's MPs attended the session.

The coalition's stance is aimed at sending a message to its March 14 rivals on the need to elect a consensus president.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun has on several occasions said that he wouldn't announce his candidacy if the rivals didn't reach a deal on him.

He withdrew from parliament along with a large number of March 8 MPs after the voting count started.

“We withdrew from parliament after it became clear that there is no consensus over one candidate,” Aoun said in a news conference after the session.

The presidency is reserved for Maronite Christians under the National Pact of 1943.

President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends at midnight on May 24. He will leave Baabda Palace the next day.

G.K.

M.T.

Timeline
  • 23 April 2014, 12:43

    Berri set the second round of the presidential election to next Wednesday.

  • 23 April 2014, 12:42

    LF chief Samir Geagea received the votes of 48 MPs while 16 lawmakers voted for Henri Helou, 1 for Amin Gemayel and 52 MPs cast blank ballots

  • 23 April 2014, 12:34

    FPM chief MP Michel Aoun will hold a news conference after the voting count ends.

  • 23 April 2014, 12:27

    A large number of MPs from the March 8 alliance withdrew from the parliament after the counting of votes began.

  • 23 April 2014, 12:21

    All 124 MPs who attended the session to elect a new president cast their ballots and the counting of votes began.

  • 23 April 2014, 12:20

    The MPs who failed to attend the session are Saad Hariri, Oqab Saqr, Elie Aoun and Khaled al-Daher.

  • 23 April 2014, 12:14

    MPs began casting their ballots .

  • 23 April 2014, 12:09

    Berri said 124 MPs attended the session.

  • 23 April 2014, 12:07

    Berri chaired the session.

  • 23 April 2014, 12:06

    Berri entered the parliament hall ahead of the session.

  • 23 April 2014, 12:03

    MP Sethrida Geagea, the wife of presidential candidate LF chief Samir Geagea, arrived in parliament.

  • 23 April 2014, 12:02

    LBCI: The French Ambassador attended the parliamentary session. He was seen taking pictures.

  • 23 April 2014, 12:00

    Al-Mashnouq: The political differences are natural but the election of a president is a must.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:59

    Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq arrived in parliament.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:58

    MP Ziad al-Qadiri: We will elect a political program. Geagea holds onto the program of the state and March 14.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:56

    LBCI: So far 101 MPs attended the session to elect a president.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:53

    MP Yassine Jaber: There are several rounds for the election of a president but the positive side of it is that there is quorum today.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:52

    PM Tammam Salam arrived in parliament.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:47

    LBCI: The two-thirds quorum of the 128-member legislature was secured after 86 MPs arrived for the session.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:44

    MP Imad al-Hout: We don't have a veto against anyone.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:43

    MP Boutros Harb from parliament: We are committed to the March 14 decision to elect Geagea. MPs should vote for the person of their choice.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:43

    Al-Mustaqbal bloc chief MP Fouad Saniora arrived in parliament.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:41

    March 14 official Fares Soaid from Maarab: Geagea is our candidate in all the election rounds.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:40

    MP George Adwan: We will fight the battle till the end. March 14 is united and today's success is the result of our unity.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:40

    OTV: Tripoli MPs held a meeting before the election session.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:39

    MP Elie Marouni: Today's candidate is Geagea. We'll see next who the candidate will be.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:38

    MP Mohammed Kabbara: I am committed to the unity of the March 14 alliance and I'll see to whom I'll vote.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:35

    Geagea from Maarab: For the first time in many years the presidential elections are serious and are made in Lebanon.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:33

    MP Nadim Gemayel: We never gave up the announcement of the candidacy of Kataeb leader Amin Gemayel.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:31

    MP Antoine Zahra: We are ready to accept the results of the elections no matter what they are. Democracy is based on competition.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:29

    MP Assaad Hardan to al-Manar: A killer shouldn't be a president.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:27

    MP Hadi Hbeish: Any Maronite has the right to announce his candidacy but we will vote for a strong president who is Geagea.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:26

    MP Fadi Karam: Geagea is the candidate of the March 14 alliance. We will continue with our struggle until we bring him to the presidency.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:20

    Marada leader MP Suleiman Franjieh arrived in parliament.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:20

    MTV: MPs Mohammed Raad and Ali Ammar entered the parliament building from the side door.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:18

    MP Ghazi al-Aridi to MTV: The announcement of MP Henri Helou's candidacy was aimed at consolidating centrism. We are here to vote.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:15

    Al-Manar: Arslan said he will cast a blank ballot.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:14

    MP Alain Aoun to reporters outside parliament: The political parties will assess today's session to see what steps to take.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:12

    MP Ahmed Fatfat to reporters outside parliament: The absolute majority of Sunni MPs will vote for Geagea.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:11

    The head of the Lebanese Democratic Party, MP Talal Arslan, arrived in parliament.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:09

    National Struggle Front chief MP Walid Jumblat arrived in parliament.

  • 23 April 2014, 11:08

    FPM chief Michel Aoun is holding talks with Speaker Nabih Berri in parliament.

Comments 40
Thumb Bandoul 23 April 2014, 08:28

Lousy piece of theater! All 128 members should be banned from politics for life.

Thumb ibinherathreik 23 April 2014, 21:05

does anyone know how many votes aoun got? frangiyeh? emile rahme? gilbert zwein?

Thumb popeye 23 April 2014, 09:31

lol @gp:) He is always invited to important tuxedo and candle lit dinners and receptions. He only mixes with the rich and famous.

Default-user-icon anonymous (Guest) 23 April 2014, 11:36

Fares Soaid get it right monkey...
“Reconciliation and SUNNI-Christian coordination … still form the core of the FAILED March 14's choices,”

Default-user-icon Disgusted (Guest) 23 April 2014, 11:41

What a circus!!! Funny how everyone else is Saints and geagea is the only criminal!!! if we open all the files, all of them should spend more then 11 years in prison. A bunch of jokers they are...

Thumb Senescence 23 April 2014, 15:03

I don't see a war-criminal essentially electing himself as a candidate to run for the presidency of the country except Geagea. So yeah, he's the only one who matters in this regard.Pretty much the contemporary joke of the international community too.

Good thing he got less than half of the needed votes. Also, maddening how M14 elected a candidate who butchered so many Sunnis (as well as Christians, Shiites, Druze, etc.). Let somebody else take charge, somebody fresh and new. Warlords aren't welcome for the presidency of this proud republic.

Thumb -phoenix1 23 April 2014, 12:34

This is another crucial national matter that will be made to drag on forever. Clearly the process of sabotaging Lebanon remains in full gear. If only the military staged a Coup and sent them all civilians under house arrest and ruled the nation by decree, this this country regained some sense and some orientation.

Thumb -phoenix1 23 April 2014, 12:41

**Till this country....**

Thumb cedre 23 April 2014, 14:32

military coup ? u need united army for that...
Jeannot is staying calm, coz HA will probably try to impose him, they know his docility, they tested him in Abra...

Missing -samy 23 April 2014, 12:39

No, no according to FT's brilliant theories, the french ambassador is there to kidnap Aoun and ship him to France again to do some new genetic tests. The French are still interested in finding out why this guy is still so brilliantly unique.

Thumb FlameCatcher 23 April 2014, 14:23

Today is a good day for Lebanon. Parliament convened at almost full capacity with no single assassination attempt.

And Geagea was not elected president.

I hope the MPs will be wise enough not to elect Michel Aoun either in the next session.

Thumb cedre 23 April 2014, 14:33

they laughing at lebanese people...

Thumb Senescence 23 April 2014, 15:09

Some of the Lebanese who made the country a joke made all of the others a part of their circus too. A convicted warcriminal who slaughtered every beacon of prosperity in his own sect and those of others, trying to become president. Ludicrous.

And why, just because he's against Hezbollah? You think he'll be able to coerce them? Hardly. The nation as a well will have to bear in its history books that it tried to elect such a man, much to the chagrin of future generations.

Think of the thousands of Sunnis he killed, and all the peaceful protestors in Nahr Al MOT. Enough hypocrisy and blood-drenched criminals. Get somebody new or let there be vacuum. The country cannot and will not tolerate electing a mass murderer as its presidential representative.

Thumb Senescence 23 April 2014, 17:06

"If you want to be credible - then you have to look both ways."
I am.

"Yes Geagea WAS a war criminal during civil war."
Still is pretty much, sorry to burst your bubble. The families, church-goers, and peaceful protestors he murdered in cold blood; the difference between military operations(i.e. casualties and collateral damage) and a blood-thirsty psychopath.

"But so was the rest of the warlords currently inparliament & cabinet.
And so was your dear Hezbollah."
And? Also, it's not my Hezbollah nor is it dear, ok? Let's get that straight first and foremost.

"Your dear Hezbollah was indeed as much a mass murderer as Geagea was."
Please quantify that and I will head your words. Also, it is not relevant, because Hezbollah has not nominated itself as a presidential hopeful, and neither have any of the other warlords and criminals. It is Geagea's lunacy alone that outshines that of the rest combined many folds over.

Thumb Senescence 23 April 2014, 17:07

2.

"But Hezbollah never stopped murdering like Geagea did."
You say this with conviction. Personal conviction, of course.

"Hezbollah is still murdering people to this day."
Hardly. It is fighting for the survival of the ME as we know it. A takeover by extremists who behead, rape, torture, make sharia courts, mass executions, kill kids for merely supporting their government, behead them for joking, train them to fire mortars, welcoming them in beheading rituals and taking their pictures, stealing children from their parents for the satisfaction of their deviance, and so on, is a noble fight indeed. You simply have your rose-tinted (white, red, and blue, rather) glasses on at the moment. Not me.

"And want to push for a president that will allow it to continue to murder people un-abated & unchecked."
You are mistaken. Who does Hezbollah want to push? Please tell me their candidate.

Thumb Senescence 23 April 2014, 17:11

3.
"Now you want a Presidnt without past criminal record - i agree."
GOOD. That is only what I want, otherwise... Lebanon has had enough rape.

"I think Helou (the only other candidate so far) would make a good president."
Good.

"But only problem is ... adopt dissociation policy."
You do not know this, nor can you predict the future. So judgement's still out on that. Also, bear in mind Hezbollah was with the dissociation policy, before the other camp sent milk and blankets and provided safe havens for terrorists, essentially beyond the reach of law, as your ilk like to say of the other.

"I.e they want to continue murdering unchecked & with impynity."
Right, no.

Thumb Senescence 23 April 2014, 17:12

4. The man is a WAR-CRIMINAL with the blood of literally thousands and thousands on his hands, and allowing him to represent the people of Lebanon, as president, is a grave mistake history will not forgive (nor acquit, if you get my drift).

Thankfully, I do not believe he has a chance (e.g. other M14 candidates are surfacing), but to see his psychopathic a bout of delusion, arrogance, shameless audacity, and the coercion of thousands of supporters is an overwhelmingly grand sight to behold indeed.

Thumb Senescence 23 April 2014, 18:27

"Got that Senescense - Mr. Hezbo Takkia boy - trying to pass himself as - centrist - non-paetisan."
See this? Exactly what I'm talking about. How can I reason with such a man consumed in his own paranoia? I believe continuing this discussion will be fruitless, and will therefor politely stop. Of course, that won't stop you from posting some smirky comment, but alas.

full-disclosure. thank you friend. Some people are pretty slow though. I don't think you could ever convince them of anything neither by rationality nor negating their hard cold facts. Fortunately, the masses are not similar at all to the people on here. You really need to be a Sisyphus of sorts 'round here it seems.

Well, back to real life.

Thumb FlameCatcher 23 April 2014, 14:56

@Southern : the only people opening wounds and gaps are the ones bombing our politicians and fighting in Syria.

You have shown your true face and unless you drop your weapons or kill us all, please refrain from discussing politics and spreading nonsense.

Yes it's a good thing that Geagea was not elected but this is non of Hezbollah's business.

You want to earn respect and the right to talk, drop your weapons and surrender your murderers, otherwise, shut up !

Democracy and weapons cannot co-exist !

Thumb FlameCatcher 23 April 2014, 16:33

@Southern : Shut me up ! You can bomb me, assassinate me, kidnap me, erase me or do whatever terrorist thing it is you do to shut me up.

I won't shut up on my own because my voice and that of millions of other lebanese is far stronger than any weapons you point our way !

Thumb FlameCatcher 23 April 2014, 17:35

All I'm telling you is to choose between weapons and words. Both cannot co-exist.

You want to participate in the democratic life of this country, you're free to do so without your weapons.

You want to debate ? drop your weapons.

You want to adhere to democratic values ? drop your weapons

You want to make Lebanon strong and believe in the state of lebanon ? drop your weapons

It's very simple really. To co-exist, there can be no weapons outside the state and you must accept the rule and will of the majority.

Missing -samy 23 April 2014, 18:14

Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience

Thumb FlameCatcher 23 April 2014, 18:48

I'm not arguing with him. You cannot convince the braindead anything. But it's important for others that his comments, nonsense, lies, contradictions, heresies are exposed.

Otherwise, they will eat us alive and turn this country into a theocracy where god is non other than Hassan Nasrallah, the "sayyed", "prophet", dictator, general, terrorist, leader of the army of Kalashnikov Zombies fed, armed and trained by Iran !

Thumb Senescence 23 April 2014, 15:41

5 votes for Danny Chamoun
1 for Tony Frangieh
1 for Karami

Shame.

Missing jeff070 23 April 2014, 15:58

They want to win. They don't to lose. They don't want others (other than Geagea) to win. Yet they don't want to play.

Only in Lebanon.

Missing jeff070 23 April 2014, 16:04

*want*

Thumb Maxx 23 April 2014, 16:21

At least that convicted criminal served out his sentence. The General went on a 15 year vacation to Paris while his followers in Lebanon were either massacred by the Syrian army, or simply "disappeared"; and upon his return, he bent over before the murderers of his followers. Get yourself a new moral compass. Because next time Der General goes on a vacation, you could be one of the new generation of those he abandons.

Missing jeff070 23 April 2014, 16:30

Justice is whatever you perceive it. Again we are going around in circles where the ultimate goal is the country.

"For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matt 7:2

Who put employed you as the determinator of justice?

Missing jeff070 23 April 2014, 16:33

How do you win when you are not even playing.

Put a candidate on the table or vote for Henri Helou.

Again, I don't care who wins, we need a president in place.

By the way, this Lebanese politics stuff is like the Turkish films, entertaining and never ending.

Where is my popcorn?

Missing -samy 23 April 2014, 18:19

No no , Aoun was kidnaped by the French ambassador, shipped to france and served 15 years at the Bastille.. Lol

Missing jeff070 23 April 2014, 16:36

FT the country needs a president. If the other party does not support Geagea, vote for someone else, or put a candidate.

Thumb -phoenix1 23 April 2014, 18:02

Cedre, you're right, and that's why I said "if only.." knowing that it would be a far shot. But today the day closes for Lebanon in quite a somber mood, if this is all we can bring forward for the presidency of this country. Politicians will go home today having some feeling best known to them, but the people will just have to add this event as another failure for them all.

Thumb -phoenix1 23 April 2014, 18:05

FD, forget Al Fanik Maarouf's baby, one of the many lately. The poor chap is mumbling to itself.

Thumb -phoenix1 23 April 2014, 18:11

BJ, I am with you 100%, a centrist plus a professional technocrat, I am sure here we have no shortage of great mind and spirits for this job. The outcome of today's seating proves that the old generation no longer has anything to offer, but allow the younger generation to take over the reins of power. Let us at last have the guts to bring about our youth, only them have our answers, as contemporary as they are now.

Missing -samy 23 April 2014, 18:23

No technocrat will be able to tame this jungle called Lebanon.

Default-user-icon simon (Guest) 23 April 2014, 18:25

We need a dictator to rule Lebanon... No if or but about it... No centrist, or anything else.

Thumb gma-bs-artist. 23 April 2014, 20:12

I like how Michel Aoun lead the charge out of the parliament, sound about right; the "general" is always the first one to run away.

Missing houna 23 April 2014, 23:01

anonymetexasusa, don't bother replying to these retards (roar, flameintayeh, southern, and the likes). They will never engage in a debate.
There is a saying in arabic that goes like "no matter how much you hit the water, it will remain water". Hence, just ignore them.... they will eventually get tired from barking and will go back laying under their masters legs.

Default-user-icon FTyourfullofcraphomie (Guest) 24 April 2014, 01:26

We are all still waiting. Maybe he can identify the 10.......Man I love how full of it you are. So laughable, should do stand up comedy or send your posts to the comedy section in a newspaper. OR better do some meme's with FT's posts. LMFAO

Default-user-icon FTyourfullofcraphomie (Guest) 24 April 2014, 01:39

Yes FT
The same Lebanese court that issued the 6 arrest warrants against Hezbollah members (5 in Hariri case + 1 in Harb case).
The same Lebanese Justice that issued arrest warrant against Ali Eid & Co.
Geagea presented himself for questioning & for trial.
Your 6 saints + Ali Eid & Co are still evading the same Lebanese Justice.
You are cherry picking at your convenience.FT.