Report: Bukhari openly told al-Rahi that KSA opposes Franjieh election

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari has openly told Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi that KSA refuses the nomination of Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh for presidency, al-Akhbar newspaper reported Wednesday.

Al-Rahi and Bukhari had met Tuesday in Bkerki over the Lebanese presidential file. Bkerki’s spokesperson told the media after the meeting that the qualifications that al-Rahi wants in a president are not too far from those of Bukhari, adding that when there are qualifications, there will definitely be a Saudi veto on those who don’t have these qualifications.

Informed sources told al-Akhbar, in remarks published Wednesday, that KSA wants a president and a prime minister who would confront Hezbollah.

Franjieh, a former lawmaker and minister, is close to Hezbollah and a personal friend of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

Like many of Lebanon's prominent political figures, Franjieh hails from a storied dynasty. His grandfather and namesake was president when Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war broke out.

On Monday, Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah openly endorsed the presidential nomination of Franjieh, days after Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri also said he backs him for president.

Nasrallah said Hezbollah will not accept that foreign countries impose a president on Lebanon and will also not accept a foreign “veto” against any candidate, an apparent reference to Franjieh.

A Maronite Christian, Franjieh does not have the backing of the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement which have the two largest Christian blocs in parliament.

Kataeb chief MP Sami Gemayel and MP and presidential candidate Michel Mouawad also oppose the election of a Hezbollah-backed candidate.