Report: Hollande Advises Hariri to Go for Election of Aoun

French President Francois Hollande told al-Mustaqbal Movement chief MP Saad Hariri that the only solution to the presidential impasse is through the election of founder of the Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun, al-Akhbar daily reported on Tuesday.

“During Hariri's latest visit to France in May, Hollande told the Mustaqbal chief that the solution to the internal crisis can only come from Aoun's side,” March 14 sources told the daily on condition of anonymity.

“Hollande has advised Hariri to visit Aoun at his residence in Rabieh,” the sources said.

They added that Hollande's stance comes as a result of diplomatic contacts made by France with Lebanese, regional and international powers and after the French president saw that the potential for Marada chief MP Suleiman Franjieh to reach the post is growing dim.

Franjieh and Aoun are running for the presidential post, which has been vacant since May 2014 when the term of the President Michel Suleiman ended.

Hariri has nominated Franjieh, while his March 14 ally, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geaega, nominated Aoun after withdrawing his own candidacy in favor of the FPM founder.

D.A.

M.T.