Geagea Does Not Fear Security Chaos in Case of Presidential Vacuum
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated that vacuum in the presidency is possible “should the other camp choose to obstruct the democratic process,” reported al-Jazeera television.
He said in an interview that will be aired on Monday night: “I do not fear security chaos should vacuum arise.”
“Vacuum is also possible should centrists shy away from their responsibilities,” he remarked.
“Vacuum should instead demand that we study the situation because a certain faction in Lebanon does not want to ensure the rise of the state,” explained the LF chief.
“We cannot continue in an imbalanced and uneven state that does not have complete authority over its powers,” Geagea said.
Asked about the rapprochement over the presidential elections between the rival Mustaqbal Movement and Free Patriotic Movement, he responded: “We support open talks between all Lebanese.”
“Attempts to understand the other are not a sign that concessions over a political agenda will be made,” he noted.
Moreover, Geagea denied claims that regional and international powers are seeking the election of FPM leader MP Michel Aoun as president due to his ties with Hizbullah and the possibility that he may reach an agreement with the party over its possession of arms.
“I have not received any foreign diplomatic proposals on Aoun's election, but I believe that some March 8 camp media outlets are promoting such claims,” he said.
The regional and international role in the elections is limited, he noted, while pointing out that Iran alone is holding sway over the polls.
“We have a serious chance to elect a president who is 'made in Lebanon' seeing as major powers are preoccupied with other affairs,” he stressed.
Asked if a constitutional amendment will be made to elect a president outside of the political fold, such as Central Bank Governor Riyad Salameh or Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, Geagea replied that none of the parliamentary blocs have made such a suggestion.
“A constitutional amendment is only made when a very dangerous development takes place and only with the consent of all parties,” he explained.
Geagea is so far the only official to submit his nomination for the elections.
President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends in May.
A parliamentary session to hold the elections has been scheduled for Wednesday, amid concerns that the necessary quorum will not be met.
Speaker Nabih Berri had stated that the conditions to hold the elections are “not ripe yet.”
The deadline to elect a president ends on May 25.
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