Helou Holds onto Presidential Candidacy

MP Henri Helou, who is the nominee of Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, has said he would not withdraw his candidacy for the presidency following the deal struck between the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement.

In remarks to As Safir daily published on Wednesday, Helou said he is still a presidential candidate.

He said he backs any rapprochement between different Lebanese parties.

The lawmaker added that the Democratic Gathering bloc will on Thursday announce its stance from LF chief Samir Geagea's endorsement of FPM founder MP Michel Aoun for the presidency.

Sources have said that Speaker Nabih Berri, al-Mustaqbal Movement chief ex-PM Saad Hariri and Jumblat are rejecting Aoun as a consensual candidate.

The three officials will likely officially announce their support for Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh’s candidacy.

Hariri has already nominated Franjieh late last year.

Their support for Franjieh will likely prolong the vacuum that was caused over lack of quorum at the parliament.

President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended in May 2014.

G.K.

D.A.