Naharnet

Hariri Ready to Facilitate Election of New President, Urges Christians to Agree

Former Premier and head of al-Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri expressed readiness to facilitate the election of a new head of state on the condition that the rival parties exert efforts to resolve the presidential deadlock.

Hariri's visitors said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper that the Sunni leader will not suggest the name of any candidate and would rather wait for the decision of Christians in this regard.

“He isn't discussing the names of any nominee with his visitors until an agreement is reached concerning the upcoming stage and the characteristics of the new president,” politicians quoted Hariri as saying.

However, Hariri highlighted that “a strong president is the one who is capable of reuniting all the Lebanese.”

On Saturday night, the ex-premier held a meeting with the ambassadors of the International Support Group for Lebanon.

Hariri discussed with the ambassadors of major powers the latest Saudi grant to boost security measures the aid that their countries could offer to the Lebanon.

Hariri had continued discussion, during separate talks with Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, over the one billion dollar Saudi grant to the military institution on Saturday.

The head of al-Mustaqbal Movement made a surprise return to Lebanon on Friday morning after three years abroad.

His trip follows his announcement that Saudi Arabia, one of his chief allies, would give $1 billion to shore up the army and security forces against jihadists.


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