Geagea Says Aoun has High Chances, Holds onto Ties with Hariri
Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea said Tuesday that Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun has higher chances to be elected president, a day after he endorsed the candidacy of his long-time rival.
Following talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki, Geagea reiterated his call on parliamentary blocs to take the appropriate stance and hold the presidential elections as soon as possible.
“I don't think that the Kataeb party would take a negative stance from the unity” between the LF and the FPM, said Geagea in response to a question.
“There is no reason to have negative reactions to my endorsement” of Aoun, who is the founder of the Free Patriotic Movement, he said.
The Kataeb is expected to announce its position from Geagea's support to Aoun for the presidency on Wednesday.
Geagea also said his ties with al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri have not changed.
“What brings us together with Hariri and al-Mustaqbal Movement is bigger than any other political development,” he said.
Al-Mustaqbal bloc is expected to announce its stance from the LF-FPM attempt to unite Christians through Aoun's candidacy later Tuesday.
“We will reach common ground” with al-Mustaqbal, said Geagea.
Lebanon's top post has been vacant since May 2014 as Lebanese politicians failed to agree on a consensus president.
Aoun and Geagea were angered along with other Christian politicians late last year when Hariri nominated Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for president without consulting them.
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