Hollande Hopes Iran, Saudi Arabia Would 'Help End' Lebanon's Presidential Vacuum

French President Francois Hollande lamented on Thursday the ongoing vacuum in the presidency, warning that it could become “dangerous.”

He hoped that “Iran and Saudi Arabia would contribute in ending the vacuum.”

Lebanon has been without a head of state since the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea endorsed on Monday his main Christian rival Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun as president in a hope to end the deadlock.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is expected to travel to France next week for talks with his French counterpart.

Media reports last year said that the meeting between the two officials will address a range of regional issues, including the situation in Lebanon.

Rouhani was set to travel to Paris in November 2015, but the attacks in the capital prompted him to cancel the trip and reschedule it for next week.

M.T.

G.K.