Jumblat Describes Christian Leaders 'Delusional', Insists on Helou's Candidacy

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat described Wednesday some Christian leaders of being “delusional” to think that they will become the new president, stressing he will not withdraw the candidacy of his nominee MP Henri Helou.

“The main dispute is over the illusion of some Christian leaders that they will become the next head of state,” Jumblat said in the second part of an interview with al-Akhbar newspaper published in segments.

Both Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea have announced their candidacies for the presidency. Their differences, in addition to the rivalry between the March 8 and 14 alliances, have left the presidential post vacant.

President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May last year.

The Druze chief, who is seeking with Speaker Nabih Berri to prevent cabinet paralysis over the appointment of high-ranking security and military officials, stressed that the matter could wait until September when the tenure of Army Chief General Jean Qahwaji ends.

“It's better amid the current circumstances not to tackle the controversy of the army as it harms it and its interests,” Jumblat told his interviewer.

He described the speaker and Prime Minister Tammam Salam as “safety valves,” noting that he is seeking a solution with the two officials to avert cabinet collapse.

The government plunged in a further crisis last week when it failed to agree on the appointments of high-ranking security and military figures.

FPM chief Aoun has bluntly rejected any attempt to extend the terms of the officials.

He has been lobbying for political consensus on the appointment of Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, his son-in-law, as army chief as part of a package for the appointment of other top security officers.

Roukoz's tenure ends in October while the term of army commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji expires at the end of September.

Jumblat considered the presidential election became a “minor interest” as citizens are only concerned with their daily affairs.

“Everyone has his own immunity that protects him, which at the same time paralyzes the flow of justice, and fortifies violations against law and provokes violence.”

Asked if the withdrawal of the presidential candidacy of Democratic Gathering bloc lawmaker Helou, who received 16 votes in the first round of the polls, would facilitate the elections, Jumblat criticized the comment, saying: “He is not the one obstructing the elections and backing down on his nomination will not resolve the dispute.”

“They will not” reach the Baabda Palace but they are “not convinced about that yet,” he stressed.

“It is our right, since we have 11 votes, to have a candidate,” the PSP chief noted.

Jumblat told the daily that the country is “divided,” accusing Christians of “insulting the Maronite sect if they consider that there are only two candidates the Lebanese should agree on.”

He refused to tackle the names of other candidates, holding on to Helou's nomination.

“I will consider discussing with (French President Francois) Hollande the return of his country's mandate on Lebanon to elect a new head of state,” Jumblat said sarcastically.

The French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon was a League of Nations Mandate created at the end of World War I, when the Ottoman Empire was formally split up in 1920.

However, Jumblat hailed Wednesday talks between the FPM and LF in comments published in al-Mustaqbal newspaper, considering them “useful.”

He stressed that “any effort that stimulates dialogue among local rivals is beneficial and positive.”

Last week,Geagea held a landmark meeting with Aoun after which a joint document was announced.

In the so-called declaration of intent, the two parties called for the election of “a strong president who is embraced by his (Christian) community and capable of reassuring the other components of the country.”

Since independence, Lebanon's leadership posts have been distributed among its largest religious sects: Sunni Muslims, Shiite Muslims and Christians, for whom the presidency is reserved.

H.K.

G.K.