Aoun, Jumblat Meeting 'Positive', Tackles Issues of Mutual Concern

A meeting between Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun and Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat touched on the presidential elections, the adoption of draft-laws and the extension of the tenure of high-ranking security officials.

Local dailies described on Wednesday the visit as “positive” and comes to repay a similar visit by Jumblat to Rabieh on August 6.

Newspapers said that the two officials tackled the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, in particular the cabinet's mechanism and the repercussions of the presidential vacuum on state institutions.

“Communication with Jumblat is ongoing despite the different points of view on some matters,” sources close to the FPM said.

PSP MP Alaeddine Terro said that talks between Aoun and Jumblat focused on the presidential elections and other matters of mutual concern.

For his part, FPM lawmaker Salim Salhab described the meeting as “fruitful.”

Aoun's unannounced visit to Clemenceau on Tuesday was held behind closed doors and no statement was issued after the meeting.

However, Jumblat said after the meeting that talks were “positive,” pointing out that “any meeting with the FPM don't require a mediator.”

The PSP chief, according to MP Terro, traveled to Paris after the meeting on a private visit.

Sources said that Jumblat is expected to meet with French President Francois Hollande to follow up on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.

The state-run National News Agency later reported that Jumblat traveled at dawn on Wednesday to France.

The country is struggling with an almost year-long presidential vacuum in light of the parliament's failure to elect a successor for Michel Suleiman, which is having repercussions on the country's economy and political life.

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