Report: Fate of Presidency Faces Two Options before Mid January

The developments in the controversial file of Lebanon's presidency face two options before the end of January that could either leave the post vacant until some constitutional amendments are made in favor of Hizbullah or elect Marada chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the post, al-Anba daily reported on Saturday.

“The presidential developments in Lebanon are in front of two options before mid January. Hizbullah will not allow the election to happen until constitutional amendments that fall in its favor are made,” an unnamed March 14 ministerial source told the daily.

“Otherwise, Franjieh would be elected but not before the scene in Syria and the region clarify, and MP Michel Aoun becomes convinced of the need to withdraw from the presidential race and Hizbullah gives up on its constitutional ambitions,” the source stated on condition of anonymity.

An initiative emerged lately by al-Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri suggesting the nomination of Marada chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency to end the presidential dealock.

The nomination has been met with reservations from the Kataeb Party, the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces.

MP Michel Aoun is the March 8 camp candidate and an ally of Hizbullah.

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

Conflicts between the rival March 8 and March 14 camps have thwarted all attempts aiming at ending the nineteen-month vacuum.