Jumblat Says Alternative to Baabda Void is Parliament Extension

Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat said on Sunday that it was a shame for the Lebanese not to be able to elect a new president, calling for another extension of parliament's term.

“It is a shame that we the politicians failed to elect a president,” Jumblat said during a visit to several towns in Aley.

“Any other solution is a one or two-year extension to parliament's term,” he said.

“We can't postpone the (parliamentary) elections. But if we were compelled to do so for technical reasons, then we will condition the election of a president,” Jumblat, who heads a parliamentary bloc, said.

The parliament has so far failed to choose a successor to President Michel Suleiman whose six-year term ended on May 25.

There is a large disagreement among the rival parliamentary blocs on a compromise candidate.

The vacuum at the Baabda Palace comes amid looming parliamentary elections. The legislature extended its term last year to November 20, 2014 after the MPs failed to approve a new electoral draft-law.

During his tour, Jumblat hoped there would be more openness among the Lebanese after ex-Premier Saad Hariri's return to Beirut.

“We have many things in common despite our differences. But let us put them aside and talk to each other,” he said.

Jumblat stressed that he made recent visits to Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun because “differences can only be resolved through dialogue.”

He revealed that he will hold similar meetings with Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh and Kataeb party chief Amin Gemayel.

Jumblat added that his Democratic Gathering bloc will visit Hariri next week.