Hariri, Jumblat Agree on Efforts to 'Find Settlement' as Fatfat Confirms Franjieh Meeting

W460

Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri and Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat agreed in their Paris talks Sunday on the need to “find a comprehensive national settlement,” Hariri's press office announced on Monday.

“Ex-PM Hariri met at his Paris residence with Democratic Gathering chief MP Walid Jumblat, who was accompanied by Health Minister Wael Abou Faour,” the office said.

The meeting was also attended by Hariri's advisers Bassem al-Sabaa, Ghattas Khoury and Nader Hariri, it added.

Talks “tackled the general situations in Lebanon and the region and the growing political crisis and its repercussions on Lebanon's National Pact, stability, security and national economy,” Hariri's office said.

The two men agreed on the need to “exert all efforts possible to find a comprehensive national settlement that preserves our National Pact and Taef Accord's stipulations.”

The settlement “must first address the presidential vacuum crisis, … activate the work of government and parliament, and provide a political-security shield for protecting Lebanon,” the statement said.

Hariri and Jumblat also agreed to “carry on with the contacts with the rest of the national components and political forces to discuss means to launch and accomplish this settlement as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Ahmed Fatfat confirmed in remarks to al-Jadeed TV that Hariri had met with Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh in Paris last week.

The meeting was aimed at “exploring” stances, Fatfat said.

The MP stressed, however, that “al-Mustaqbal's stance on the need to find a consensual presidential candidate is firm.”

“Every person has the right to belong to any camp, but if Franjieh wants this role, he must embark on practical steps,” Fatfat added.

Asked about the Hariri-Jumblat meeting, the lawmaker said it was part of “the continuous consultations and coordination.”

Hariri “believes in the need to exert efforts to fill the presidential void as a first step towards reviving the regular functioning of state institutions,” Fatfat added.

Y.R.

Comments 3
Default-user-icon simn (Guest) 23 November 2015, 16:37

These are the dynasties that must be gone

Thumb lubnani.masi7i 23 November 2015, 17:18

This is so disheartening if it is true. A criminal with criminal ancestors is a candidate for the presidency and a consensual one too.

Thumb lebanon_first 23 November 2015, 17:23

if the choice is void or Frangieh, i prefer void.

However Frangieh has a minister of culture, roni araiji, who is pretty impressive... he could be an option.