Franjieh to Patriarch Rahi: I Told You I Will Not Provide Quorum and You Accepted My Stance

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh stated on Friday that he had promised Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi that he will not provide the necessary quorum at the parliament to prevent his political foe's election, adding also that he disagrees with the head of the Maronite Church over the fear of vacuum in the presidency.

"The constitution discussed the needed quorum in parliamentary sessions (dedicated to elect a new president) but it did not say anything about requiring MPs to be present,” Franjieh said in an interview on al-Manar television.

"Lawmakers have the right to miss the sessions,” he remarked.

Al-Rahi told LBCI television on Thursday that being present at parliamentary sessions to elect a new head of state is a “national duty because the MPs were elected by the people and their presence is a constitutional duty.”

But Franjieh insisted that no agreement was reached during the Maronite leaders' meeting in Bkirki over being present at parliament and providing the necessary quorum for electing a president.

He elaborated: “I have told the patriarch that if my political foe received 85 votes and needed one more to win the presidential race, I will not vote in his favor. But if he took office, I will respect him and cooperate with him. (Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel) Aoun told al-Rahi he supported my decision and (Kataeb Party leader) Amin Gemayel also agreed with me.”

Franjieh was referring to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, a presidential candidate who was able to gather 48 votes in his favor in the first round of votes at the parliament. Meanwhile, 52 MPs cast a blank vote, centrist nominee Henri Helou won the support of 16 lawmakers and Gemayel got one vote in his favor.

Franjieh stated: “I will be Geagea's biggest opponents if he takes office, but this does not mean that he is not a strong candidate.”

The Marada Movement head remarked that Aoun “will always be in harmony with Hizbullah” and that if he becomes president, he will not demand the party to withdraw from Syria.

The northern leader also voiced support for electing a president by the people.

Franjieh noted that he does not agree with the patriarch on his “fear of vacuum” in the presidency.

"I am not worried about vacuum. I have told you I will not be present to provide quorum and you accepted my statement," he said addressing al-Rahi.

Meanwhile, he considered that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri does not support neither Aoun nor Geagea for office.

"He wants a weak president. He is wasting time to assure al-Rahi, but he wants to reach a settlement later.”

In the second round of votes on Wednesday, lawmakers once again failed to elect a new president as differences between the March 8 and 14 alliances led to a lack of quorum.

While the March 14 camp held onto its candidate Geagea, the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance, except for Speaker Nabih Berri's Development and Liberation bloc, boycotted the second round of the elections over lack of consensus on one candidate.

Berri set Wednesday, May 7 for a third round of voting.

S.D.B.

Comments 25
Thumb bronco 02 May 2014, 23:13

He elaborated: “I have told the patriarch that if my political foe received 85 votes and needed one more to win the presidential race, I will not vote in his favor. But if he took office, I will respect him and cooperate with him. (Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel) Aoun told al-Rahi he supported my decision and (Kataeb Party leader) Amin Gemayel agreed with me also.”

you will not vote for him that is your constitutional right but attending and not boycotting is a completely different story... every MP should attend, you have a national and a moral duty to be there. so it could be that the Patriarch agreed with you that you don't have to vote but you should present,,, Sir

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 05:30

berri and aoun are BFFs

Thumb general_puppet 03 May 2014, 08:29

Hello Mr FlimFlam din't this Assad stooge nominate the Lunatic Aoun for President a few weeks ago?

Thumb FlameCatcher 03 May 2014, 00:08

Yalla FT : Aoun for Patriarch ... !!!

Missing -samy 03 May 2014, 00:16

What do you expect from this illiterate thug. His grandfather was a criminal. Too bad he was not meet his parents fate.

Missing -samy 03 May 2014, 00:17

he did not

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 05:01

"The constitution discussed the needed quorum in parliamentary sessions (dedicated to elect a new president) but it did not say anything about requiring MPs to be present,” Franjieh said in an interview on al-Manar television.

lolll frangieh the constitutional warrior please do tell us where the lebanese constitution discusses the needed quorum in election sessions! do you know what a constitution is? ever opened one? so the constitution has to say that an MP must work and show up to his work? what are you getting paid for? march 8 thugs falling one after the other

Thumb cedre 03 May 2014, 12:19

dont blame Franky al Assad, he has no education, had to leave school early. U're totally right, there's no need for quorum...

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 05:02

"Lawmakers have the right to miss the sessions,” he remarked.

only right you have is to resign! what employee has a right to show up to work when he decides to?

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 05:03

Al-Rahi told LBCI television on Thursday that being present at parliamentary sessions to elect a new head of state is a “national duty because the MPs were elected by the people and their presence is a constitutional duty.”

spot on! but aoun and frangieh can care less about constitution or elections or christian rights! when will you learn that ya batrak?

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 05:04

But Franjieh insisted that no agreement was reached during the Maronite leaders' meeting in Bkirki over being present at parliament and providing the necessary quorum for electing a president.

lolll so what were you meeting for?

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 05:05

He elaborated: “I have told the patriarch that if my political foe received 85 votes and needed one more to win the presidential race, I will not vote in his favor. But if he took office, I will respect him and cooperate with him. (Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel) Aoun told al-Rahi he supported my decision and (Kataeb Party leader) Amin Gemayel also agreed with me.”

lollll just like you respected suleiman and cooperated with him mooo?

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 05:14

The Marada Movement head remarked that Aoun “will always be in harmony with Hizbullah” and that if he becomes president, he will not demand the party to withdraw from Syria.

duhhhh we know that! keep weakening the christians and the state!

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 05:17

"I am not worried about vacuum. I have told you I will not be present to provide quorum and you accepted my statement," he said addressing al-Rahi.

why would you be worried? you are not going to become a president so why would you care? whether there are christians left or not is the last of your concern. you only care about your lil castle and pocket!

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 05:20

Meanwhile, he considered that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri does not support neither Aoun nor Geagea for office.

lollllll huh? he voted for geagea so it means that he supports him! i find it funny that he forgot to say that hariri does not support his ass! so hariri wants a weak president or march 8? hence why march 8 is obstructing the elections!

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 05:27

texas and nasrallah did the same thing with national dialogue and every other agreement! in lebanon it seems that we need an independent observer during all meetings who will take good notes and another to tape the meetings. everything is a maskhara. but why do you expect anything different? they do not fear god and they assassinate you so they really gonna care about agreements?

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 05:31

i wonder if he only has one tie! the green one!

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 07:19

is it true that aounieh respect the media and do not pay for votes? hmmmm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANhLjECCBaI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ5PQIfX8Kk

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 07:19

aoun destroyed the christians!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_0g__NS9dY

Thumb general_puppet 03 May 2014, 08:27

What a retard... another shining star from the Glorious M8 camp

Thumb ibinherathreik 03 May 2014, 08:27

لطالما كانت وزارة العمل بالغة الأهمية لإدارة النظام السوري إبّان فترة وجودها في لبنان، إذ لم يطأ عتبة مكاتبها وزير غير موثوق سورياً طوال تلك الحقبة السورية. وكانت تُسند إلى "بعثي" أو إلى "قومي". ولم يُسجّل دخول وزير غير مقرّب من النظام السوري إلاّ بعد الانسحاب السوري من لبنان عام 2005.

موقع NOW يقدّم لمحة عن وزراء العمل الذين تعاقبوا منذ 1992 حتى تاريخه.

http://mme.cm/9QKU00

Thumb cedre 03 May 2014, 12:24

frangieh's allegiance doesnt go to batrak or christians :
http://youtu.be/rCofT0e2lLc

Thumb -phoenix1 03 May 2014, 12:53

And to think that some are considering Frangieh as a possible candidate for president!!

Thumb beiruti 03 May 2014, 16:50

It is Frangieh and his attitude which is duplicated with the other members of the Lebanese Christian political class that has seriously weakened the Lebanese Christian political standing in Lebanon. Patriarch has been charged by the Pope with bringing unity among the Christians in Lebanon, but this task is more like herding cats. None of the Lebanese Christian political class have any respect for the Patriarchate.

Thumb -phoenix1 03 May 2014, 18:25

Beiruti, I know one thing, Frangieh is also known as Mr. Bingo, so can't see him presidential in any way.